The Digital Media Zonehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com
Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:25:33 +0000en-UShourly1noExclusive: HDHomeRun Picture-in-Picture Mode Arrives on Androidhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/lN3R4fqBtgc/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/exclusive-hdhomerun-picture-in-picture-mode-arrives-on-android/#commentsMon, 25 Sep 2017 17:25:33 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22381HDHomrun picture-in-picture mode has arrived on Android, and we're the first to go hands-on with it. We've wanted the feature for a long time, and we're glad to announce that it's here!

SiliconDust has been at the forefront of home theater PC technology for years, and in the last few years, their products have also spread to support mobile platforms. One of the things we love most about the HDHomeRun platform is that we can seamlessly transition from watching on a TV to a PC, tablet, or phone. Our phones and tablets tend to be devices that we use for multiple purposes at the same time. That’s become so evident that Android Oreo now supports the ability for video applications to run in a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode. The latest release of the HDHomeRun app on Android now supports PIP, and we love it!

Android Oreo is a brand new version of the mobile operating system. While it’s certainly not on every device, it’s on many of the popular ones, like the Google Pixel phones. With Oreo you can now keep a video playing in a small window while checking your Twitter timeline, following the score of a game you’re watching, or getting the latest news from Reddit. Unfortunately, there aren’t many video apps that support PIP yet. Even Google’s own YouTube app requires a subscription to use this new feature. SiliconDust jumped on it right away though.

Watching the HDHomeRun app in picture-in-picture mode is simple to do. If you have a device with Android Oreo on it you’ll see a new button in the app that looks like two squares with one overlaid over the other. When that is tapped the window will shrink down to about 40% the width of the screen.

The HDHomeRun picture-in-picture window will always display on top of any other apps that are currently running. While it defaults to the lower right corner it can be moved by simply dragging it to another area on the screen. When done multitasking, tap the window and there will be a button in the window to resume full-screen playback.

We love the new picture-in-picture feature in Android Oreo, and we’re excited to have the functionality in one of our most-used video applications. SiliconDust did a great job implementing the feature and getting it out so shortly after the release of Oreo. Let us know in the comments below what you think of the feature, and if there are things you’d like to see changed about it.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/exclusive-hdhomerun-picture-in-picture-mode-arrives-on-android/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/exclusive-hdhomerun-picture-in-picture-mode-arrives-on-android/Home: On #093 – CEDIA 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/wgkwQjPck60/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/home-on-093/#commentsMon, 25 Sep 2017 09:00:58 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22378CEDIA 2017 was in San Diego this year, and we were on the ground to see what’s trending. We spoke with some of our old friends, and we spent time with some vendors we haven’t previously interviewed. Voice is King, or Queen as it were, and consumer products continue to change the face of home technology—even in the professional space.

CEDIA 2017 was in San Diego this year, and we were on the ground to see what’s trending. We spoke with some of our old friends, and we spent time with some vendors we haven’t previously interviewed. Voice is King, or Queen as it were, and consumer products continue to change the face of home technology—even in the professional space.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/home-on-093/feed/0no CEDIA 2017 was in San Diego this year, and we were on the ground to see what’s trending. We spoke with some of our old friends, and we spent time with some vendors we haven’t previously interviewed. Voice is King, or Queen as it were, and consumer produc CEDIA 2017 was in San Diego this year, and we were on the ground to see what’s trending. We spoke with some of our old friends, and we spent time with some vendors we haven’t previously interviewed. Voice is King, or Queen as it were, and consumer products continue to change the face of home technology—even in the professional space. The post Home: On #093 &#8211; CEDIA 2017 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Events, Featured, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, August, CEDIA 2017, Fibaro, HomeKit, Logitech Circle, Lutron Caséta, Nest, Samsung Connect, Voice Control, Z-Wavehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/25/home-on-093/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep093.mp3Story Players #004 – Mass Effect Andromeda – Episode 3http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/9cmQIar_psY/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/22/story-players-004-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-3/#commentsFri, 22 Sep 2017 05:00:29 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22371This week the Story Players check out Mass Effect Andromeda's first few side quests. They also get introduced to most of the game's primary side characters. It's also their first chance to check out the new romance system.

]]>The Story Players are taking a different path through the Helius Cluster this week. While the last two episodes focused on the first few Priority Ops missions, this time Josh and Joe adventure off on a few side quests. They’ll investigate the first murderer and look into what appears to be a classic case of sabotage aboard the Nexus. There’s also a secret project to check out on Eos, and an interesting encounter with the main character’s sibling.

At this point in the game Josh and Joe have met most of the primary characters. They’ll give an introduction to all the ship’s crew. This is a Mass Effect game, so that means that love is in the air! The guys discuss how they’ve found the new romance system and who they’re flirting with.

Don’t forget to subscribe! There will be a new episode in the Mass Effect Andromeda series every week until Josh and Joe finish the game.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/22/story-players-004-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-3/feed/0no This week the Story Players check out Mass Effect Andromeda's first few side quests. They also get introduced to most of the game's primary side characters. It's also their first chance to check out the new romance system. The post Story Players #004 &#8 This week the Story Players check out Mass Effect Andromeda's first few side quests. They also get introduced to most of the game's primary side characters. It's also their first chance to check out the new romance system. The post Story Players #004 &#8211; Mass Effect Andromeda &#8211; Episode 3 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Featured, Gaming, Podcasts, Story Players, gaming, Mass Effect Andromedahttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/22/story-players-004-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-3/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/f348nj/story-players-episode004.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #422: 4k HTPCs with Rob H.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/qMdUaydguAI/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/21/entertainment-2-0-422-4k-htpcs-with-rob-h/#commentsThu, 21 Sep 2017 05:00:19 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22368Rob H. from the AV Rant podcast joins us to discuss HDR standards, building a 4k home theater PC, Dolby Atmos, the intricacies of Audio Return Channel, and more!

This week Josh is joined by a very special guest, Rob H of the AV Rant Podcast. He’s come back to get us caught up on the latest HDR standards and how they might impact your equipment purchasing decisions. He and Josh also look at what’s required to build a home theater PC that’s capable of playing 4k UHD Blu-ray discs. Rob also has some advanced tips for setting up a Plex server. The conversation didn’t solely focus enjoying video content though. They also ventured into Dolby Atmos, and how Audio Return Channel (ARC) actually works.

You’re always sure to be greeted with a wealth of information across the entire audio/visual space when Rob H. is around, and his appearance here doesn’t disappoint!

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>This week the Story Players continue their trek through Mass Effect Andromeda. This is the second episode in the series. If you haven’t listened to the first episode in the series you should check that out first. In the previous episode Josh and Joe focused mostly on the main quest, known as Priority Ops missions, and this time around they continue that path.

In this second episode of the Mass Effect Andromeda series the guys discuss the next three Priority Ops missions. Those are Nexus Reunion, First Strike, and A Better Beginning. As a reminder, if you haven’t played these missions yet you might want to hold off on listening to this episode. On Story Players, Josh and Joe attempt to cover all the important details and decisions that occurred in their play-through.

Don’t forget to subscribe! There will be a new episode in the Mass Effect Andromeda series every week until Josh and Joe finish the game.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/15/story-players-003-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-2/feed/0no The Story Players are back for the second episode in their Mass Effect Andromeda series. This week they cover three Priority Ops missions: Nexus Reunion, First Strike, and A Better Beginning. The post Story Players #003 &#8211; Mass Effect Andromeda &#82 The Story Players are back for the second episode in their Mass Effect Andromeda series. This week they cover three Priority Ops missions: Nexus Reunion, First Strike, and A Better Beginning. The post Story Players #003 &#8211; Mass Effect Andromeda &#8211; Episode 2 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Featured, Gaming, Podcasts, Story Players, gaming, Mass Effect Andromedahttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/15/story-players-003-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-2/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/2ftxnq/story-players-episode003.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #421: Galaxy Quest-esquehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/yrP6kL-qsd8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/14/entertainment-2-0-421-galaxy-quest-esque/#commentsThu, 14 Sep 2017 05:00:30 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22358Plex brings their live TV and DVR functionality to more platforms. Disney and Microsoft Movies & TV break up while Spotify and Hulu kindle a new romance. Apple finally goes 4k, and they might shake up pricing.

As is so often the case, an update from Plex kicks off the video news. They’ve brought their live TV and DVR functionality to even more platforms. Disney Movies Anywhere has broken up with Microsoft Movies & TV. While that relationship is ending, a beautiful new college romance is budding between Spotify and Hulu. Microsoft unveiled a slew of completely wireless headsets for Xbox and Windows 10 PCs. Apple was also in the news, as you may have heard, with a new 4k Apple TV. Richard will, of course, be getting one, but the more interesting story is what Apple is doing to the pricing model for 4k movies.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/14/entertainment-2-0-421-galaxy-quest-esque/feed/0no Plex brings their live TV and DVR functionality to more platforms. Disney and Microsoft Movies &#038; TV break up while Spotify and Hulu kindle a new romance. Apple finally goes 4k, and they might shake up pricing. The post Entertainment 2.0 #421: Galaxy Plex brings their live TV and DVR functionality to more platforms. Disney and Microsoft Movies &#038; TV break up while Spotify and Hulu kindle a new romance. Apple finally goes 4k, and they might shake up pricing. The post Entertainment 2.0 #421: Galaxy Quest-esque appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Featured, Podcasts, 4K, Apple TV, Hulu, Plex, Spotify, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/14/entertainment-2-0-421-galaxy-quest-esque/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/5zwgmm/ent20-episode421.mp3Story Players #002 – Mass Effect Andromeda – Episode 1http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/QI19df2yC78/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/08/story-players-002-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-1/#commentsFri, 08 Sep 2017 05:00:49 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22343The Story Players kick off a new series for the show. This time they are playing Mass Effect Andromeda. The should be around ten episodes released weekly as the guys work their way through the action sci-fi RPG from Bioware.

]]>In the second episode of Story Players, Josh and Joe start their second series. This week they are kicking off a journey to play through Mass Effect Andromeda. The pair have previously played through the entire Mass Effect trilogy, and eagerly looked forward to Andromeda when it arrived earlier this year.

Mass Effect Andromeda is a much longer game than Life is Strange, or any other game the guys will play this season. In fact, they expect this series to last around ten episodes. This first episode will introduce the game, story, and characters. It will also cover the first two main missions: Prologue: Hyperion and Planetside.

Don’t forget to subscribe! There will be a new episode in the Mass Effect Andromeda series every week until Josh and Joe finish the game.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/08/story-players-002-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-1/feed/0no The Story Players kick off a new series for the show. This time they are playing Mass Effect Andromeda. The should be around ten episodes released weekly as the guys work their way through the action sci-fi RPG from Bioware. The post Story Players #002 & The Story Players kick off a new series for the show. This time they are playing Mass Effect Andromeda. The should be around ten episodes released weekly as the guys work their way through the action sci-fi RPG from Bioware. The post Story Players #002 &#8211; Mass Effect Andromeda &#8211; Episode 1 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Gaming, Podcasts, Story Players, gaming, Mass Effect Andromedahttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/08/story-players-002-mass-effect-andromeda-episode-1/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/s4y372/story-players-episode002.mp3Logitech’s Circle 2 is Now HomeKit Compatiblehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/elqBpLXkIZ4/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/logitechs-circle-2-becomes-first-homekit-security-camera/#commentsThu, 07 Sep 2017 20:47:55 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22340Today at CEDIA, Logitech announced that its new Circle 2 camera is now HomeKit compatible. With this announcement, Logitech's camera is now more versatile than ever, integrating with many other third-party connected devices.

Today at CEDIA, Logitech announced that its new Circle 2 camera is now HomeKit compatible. The Circle 2 hit the market, earlier this summer, with a variety of accessories, making it one of the most versatile security camera options out there. A free-standing base, plug mount, and window mount let consumers use one camera model for many uses around the home.

With today’s announcement, Logitech’s camera is now more versatile than ever, integrating with dozens (hundreds yet?) of other third-party connected devices. With HomeKit, the Circle 2 can trigger other automation events in your home, like turning on lights when there’s motion outside. Additionally, iOS devices can display rich notifications when activity is detected.

The Circle 2 also integrates with Logitech’s own Pop buttons, allowing homeowners to trigger certain actions (like toggling power or manually triggering a camera to start recording). Logitech also has an Android TV app on Sony TVs that lets homeowners view live camera feeds and recording history. Curiously, the Circle 2 doesn’t yet integrate with the Harmony Hub to trigger smart home activities.

The Circle 2 is available through a variety of retailers now for $179.95, and starting in October, it will also be available at select Apple Stores.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/logitechs-circle-2-becomes-first-homekit-security-camera/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/logitechs-circle-2-becomes-first-homekit-security-camera/iHome Puts Alexa on Your Nightstandhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/XnonGEiTzQY/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/ihome-puts-alexa-on-your-nightstand/#commentsThu, 07 Sep 2017 10:00:49 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22316iHome is launching a new bedside clock with Alexa Voice Service on-board. Set alarms, stream music, control your home—all with your voice from your alarm clock. But are consumers ready for a listening device in the bedroom?

iHome, probably most commonly known for alarm clocks sporting iPhone docks—and often found on hotel nightstands—has announced a new bedside clock with Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service build in.

iHome is showing the new device, the iAVS16, at this year’s CEDIA show. It offers your typical premium alarm clock features, including two alarms, USB charging, Bluetooth streaming and speaker phone, and network time syncing. A USB port allows 2.1 Amp charging for a phone, tablet, or watch, and the display also shows weather, temperature, and date information. We would have hoped for a departure from iHome’s iconic, if not dated, backlit segmented LCD display to an OLED or similar technology.

Rather than relying on AM or FM radio for audio, this clock uses a WiFi connection so you can stream music from a variety of services, including iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify, and more. And speaking of Spotify, the iAVS16 works with Spotify Connect, so you can control your music from the Spotify app. Don’t want to rely on an app to play music on your alarm clock? We can’t blame you. Two customizable function buttons on the clock let you preset your favorite playlist or album for easy access.

The real differentiator here, though, is the integration of Amazon’s voice services, which brings Amazon’s whole library of skills and smart home control. Far-field mics purport to pick up your requests from anywhere in the room where you’ve located your clock. In addition to the usual capabilities the voice services offer, you can also use your voice to set, stop, or snooze alarms.

Like most Alexa-enabled devices, the iAVS16 features an LED accent light at the base of the unit. Expect the usual blue tones to indicate voice service activity.

iHome plans to ship the iAVS16 soon, with pre-orders starting now. The suggested retail price is $149.99, which seems appropriate, given that this is essentially both a premium alarm clock combined with an Amazon Echo.

iHome is touting this as a “bedside clock system,” but clearly this might also fit nicely in an office or kitchen—particularly with the onboard voice services. Whether consumers will ultimately be comfortable putting a listening device in their bedrooms remains to be seen.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/ihome-puts-alexa-on-your-nightstand/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/ihome-puts-alexa-on-your-nightstand/Entertainment 2.0 #420: Old and Crotchetyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/dyF-cCnarwk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/entertainment-2-0-420-old-and-crotchety/#commentsThu, 07 Sep 2017 05:00:01 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22334Plex has updated their HTPC app with a new look and feel. Gifting and a wishlist are coming to the Xbox. Mixer goes mobile. More Fall Creators Update details are revealed, and the DMZ launches a new show.

Once again, Plex is back in the news. This time with an update for their desktop, or should we say HTPC, app: Plex Media Player. It’s got a brand new look and feel, but will it solve all the issues Plex is hoping for? A couple of often requested features are coming soon to the Xbox, while the console gets a deep discount. Mixer fans can now take their broadcasts mobile with the Mixer Create app. Microsoft has released final details about the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update including the release date. The DMZ also has officially launched its newest podcast too. It’s called Story Players, and you can check out the first episode now.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/entertainment-2-0-420-old-and-crotchety/feed/0no Plex has updated their HTPC app with a new look and feel. Gifting and a wishlist are coming to the Xbox. Mixer goes mobile. More Fall Creators Update details are revealed, and the DMZ launches a new show. The post Entertainment 2.0 #420: Old and Crotchet Plex has updated their HTPC app with a new look and feel. Gifting and a wishlist are coming to the Xbox. Mixer goes mobile. More Fall Creators Update details are revealed, and the DMZ launches a new show. The post Entertainment 2.0 #420: Old and Crotchety appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Groove Music, Mixed Reality, Plex, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/07/entertainment-2-0-420-old-and-crotchety/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/w5fgyj/ent20-episode420.mp3Flixster Shutters UltraViolet Movie Servicehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/RsiDIo8NOlA/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/06/flixster-shutters-ultraviolet-movie-site/#commentsWed, 06 Sep 2017 18:52:44 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22325Flixster has shut down its UltraViolet video redemption and collection streaming service, Flixster Video, shuffling customers over to competitor VUDU.

]]>Flixster has shut down its UltraViolet video redemption and collection streaming service, Flixster Video. Originally owned by Warner Brothers, Flixster was one of the original UltraViolet digital video content providers. Warner Brothers is one of the founding members of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem and was a driving force behind the UltraViolet digital copy format, which positioned itself as a competitor to Apple’s iTunes-based digital copy redemption service.

The web of ownership and transfers is a bit complicated here, but Warner brothers sold Flixster to Fandango in early 2016. Fandango quickly spun out the UltraViolet redemption and viewing service into Flixster Video, separating it from Flixster’s movie discovery and recommendation service. Around the same time, Fandango also acquired UltraViolet partner M-GO, rebranding it as FandangoNow, leaving Fandango with two UltraViolet properties. Warner Brothers retained some equity ownership in Flixster, while Fandango is owned by NBCUniversal.

As of August 28, 2017, the Flixster Video site and apps now display a service notice and FAQs that, curiously, blame the shut-down on “circumstances beyond our control related to the unexpected shutdown of a critical vendor.” Realistically, this consolidation was inevitable. What’s curious, however, is that while the FAQs mentions FandangoNow as an alternative, they’re clearly promoting and directing customers to VUDU to continue accessing their Ultraviolet library content. Coincidentally, we’d argue that VUDU probably offers the best UltraViolet service among all the participating vendors.

Were you a Flixster Video customer, and if so, are you sorry to see it go? Share your thoughts and future UltraViolet plans in the comments.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/06/flixster-shutters-ultraviolet-movie-site/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/06/flixster-shutters-ultraviolet-movie-site/Story Players #001 – Life is Strange: Before the Storm – Episode 1http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/8a7kGi_rq14/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/05/story-players-001-life-is-strange-before-the-storm-episode-1/#commentsTue, 05 Sep 2017 05:00:32 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22309This episode kicks of a new series around the brand new game Life is Strange: Before the Storm. The guys analyze all of episode one: Awake.

]]>Today Josh and Joe start a new series for Story Players for the brand-new game, Life is Strange: Before the Storm. This is a special game for the guys, because the first season of Life is Strange is what kicked off their shared love for playing story-focused games together so that they could discuss them together.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a prequel to Life is Strange. You might think that means you can play this one without having played through season one. We strongly recommend that you play through the first season prior to playing this one though. As usual, we’ll be going in-depth on our coverage of this game, so if you haven’t played it yet then we’ll be completely spoiling it for you. We’ll also be spoiling major aspects of the first season too.

Your feedback about this episode of Story Players, and your theories about Before the Storm, are important to us. Please use the comments below, e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook to send them to us. All of our contact information is listed below.

Don’t forget to subscribe! While we’re not sure when the next Life is Strange episode will be released, you won’t be waiting long for the next episode of Story Players. Later this week we’re releasing the first episode of our series for Mass Effect Andromeda!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/05/story-players-001-life-is-strange-before-the-storm-episode-1/feed/0no This episode kicks of a new series around the brand new game Life is Strange: Before the Storm. The guys analyze all of episode one: Awake. The post Story Players #001 &#8211; Life is Strange: Before the Storm &#8211; Episode 1 appeared first on The Digi This episode kicks of a new series around the brand new game Life is Strange: Before the Storm. The guys analyze all of episode one: Awake. The post Story Players #001 &#8211; Life is Strange: Before the Storm &#8211; Episode 1 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Featured, Gaming, Podcasts, Story Players, gaming, Life is Strangehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/09/05/story-players-001-life-is-strange-before-the-storm-episode-1/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/z8h2h4/story-players-episode001.mp3Home: On #092 – System Recovery, with Doug Krughttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/_2HssZ_lnJA/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/home-on-092/#commentsThu, 31 Aug 2017 22:06:57 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22281It's been a long time since we've covered the news, and the DMZ's newest contributor, Doug Krug, helps us wade through some of the news we missed. Will.i.am breathes new life into Wink; Ring, Schlage, and Sylvania bring new products to market; and Thington is, sadly, no more. Plus: Doug has some good advice on how you should prepare for the inevitable hub failure and recovery process.

It’s been a long time since we’ve covered the news, and the DMZ’s newest contributor, Doug Krug, helps us wade through some of the news we missed. Will.i.am breathes new life into Wink; Ring, Schlage, and Sylvania bring new products to market; and Thington is, sadly, no more. Plus: Doug has some good advice on how you should prepare for the inevitable hub failure and recovery process.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/home-on-092/feed/1no It's been a long time since we've covered the news, and the DMZ's newest contributor, Doug Krug, helps us wade through some of the news we missed. Will.i.am breathes new life into Wink; Ring, Schlage, and Sylvania bring new products to market; and Thingt It's been a long time since we've covered the news, and the DMZ's newest contributor, Doug Krug, helps us wade through some of the news we missed. Will.i.am breathes new life into Wink; Ring, Schlage, and Sylvania bring new products to market; and Thington is, sadly, no more. Plus: Doug has some good advice on how you should prepare for the inevitable hub failure and recovery process. The post Home: On #092 &#8211; System Recovery, with Doug Krug appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Featured, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, HomeKit, IFTTT, iLumi, Logitech Harmony, Microsoft, Ring, Sylvania Smart+, Thington, Tile, Winkhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/home-on-092/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep092.mp3Story Players #0 – Introducing Story Playershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/sPlYajV7a_s/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/story-players-0-introducing-story-players/#commentsThu, 31 Aug 2017 10:30:48 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22275Today we're launching Story Players. It's a podcast that analyzes story-driven video games. Josh and Joe discuss plot, characters, and those gut-wrenching choices you’re often forced to make.

]]>Today we’re excited to announce a brand-new podcast at The Digital Media Zone: Story Players.

In Story Players Josh and Joe analyze story-driven games, from walking simulators to RPGs to episodic games. Each episode covers a single game and includes discussions on plot, characters, and those gut-wrenching choices you’re often forced to make.

Each season of the show covers a handful of shorter games and at least one lengthy game. You’re invited to play along with them, assuming you’ve either played the game or don’t mind having it spoiled.

In this first season of Story Players the guys will be playing Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Mass Effect Andromeda, Tacoma, What Remains of Edith Finch, and maybe a couple more games.

The first episode will launch in just a few days, so please subscribe to ensure you don’t miss it! We also really need your feedback. You can send it to us through any of the methods below. The other way you can help us out is by sharing Story Players. Please tell your friends on Twitter, Facebook, or the old-fashioned way: in real life!

After a week off, Josh and Richard are back to catch you up on all the late summer Microsoft entertainment technology news. Microsoft was at GamesCom to finalize details around the Xbox One X and many of their upcoming games. Microsoft Groove has a couple of great offers going on right now. There’s really no reason not to check out the music service. Razer announced a controller to compete with the Xbox Elite. Mixed Reality gets even more interesting. The Xbox Insider program is slightly less confusing, and the NYPD is replacing their huge lot of Windows Phones.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/entertainment-2-0-419-ultra-mobile-mixed-reality-pcs/feed/0no Microsoft gives final details on the Xbox One X at GamesCom. There are great deals on Groove and Xbox digital games. NYPD nixes Windows Phone. The post Entertainment 2.0 #419: Ultra Mobile Mixed Reality PCs appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Microsoft gives final details on the Xbox One X at GamesCom. There are great deals on Groove and Xbox digital games. NYPD nixes Windows Phone. The post Entertainment 2.0 #419: Ultra Mobile Mixed Reality PCs appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Groove Music, Windows Phone, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/31/entertainment-2-0-419-ultra-mobile-mixed-reality-pcs/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/jfrsba/ent20-episode419.mp3Save 10% on Xbox Digital Purchaseshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/NialzOEIUd8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/26/save-10-on-xbox-digital-purchases/#commentsSat, 26 Aug 2017 18:46:39 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22265It's an expensive time to be a gamer as all the big games are coming out over the next four months. Fortunately you can save 10% on digital purchases.

]]>We’ve entered the busiest time of the year for video game releases. With the release of Madden Football already out, we look forward to Assassin’s Creed Origins, Forza Motorsport 7, Call of Duty, and so many more. All those games can put a real dent in your wallet though, especially if you want to purchase them digitally. Not having physical discs is convenient, but digital titles don’t go on sale as quickly.

Amazon has you covered. You can purchase online codes for Xbox gift cards, and right now, some of them are 10% off. You can get a card valued at $60 for only $54. They also have a card valued at $100 for only $90. Because these are online codes you don’t even need to worry about shipping. After purchasing a code will be displayed. Then simply head over to the Xbox code redemption page. Enter the code, and the funds are immediately in your account.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/26/save-10-on-xbox-digital-purchases/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/26/save-10-on-xbox-digital-purchases/Razer Wolverine Ultimate Takes on Xbox Elite Controllerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/XTKZg3oWRHo/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/razer-wolverine-ultimate-takes-on-xbox-elite-controller/#commentsThu, 24 Aug 2017 17:38:58 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22254The Razer Wolverine Ultimate is a new controller for the Xbox One and PC with more customizability and features than the Xbox Elite controller.

]]>Razer has a long history of making high-end PC gaming peripherals, but over the last few years they’ve ventured into the console gaming market. Today they are announcing a new controller that is set to take on Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite controller. It’s called the Wolverine Ultimate, and it will be available next month.

Razer’s Wolverine Ultimate is a high-end gaming controller that will work on Xbox One and Windows PCs. It is extremely customizable. There are three different thumbsticks that can be swapped in. Two of them have typical indented thumb rests, but are offered at different heights. The third offers a domed top. There are also two directional pad options. The Wolverine also sports two additional shoulder bumper buttons and four more triggers. These extra buttons can be remapped to any button the gamer chooses. The main triggers can also be put into a hair-trigger mode which reduces the travel of the triggers.

Razer didn’t forget about the importance of headset support with the Wolverine Ultimate either. In addition to the standard headset jack, the controller also features four buttons for controlling the audio. One of them mutes the microphone, but the other three don’t have icons that immediately describe their function. Regardless, it’s nice to see that Razer did include dedicated buttons for audio control, because they didn’t include the proprietary jack that Xbox headset adapters require.

It wouldn’t be a Razer product if it didn’t feature the company’s Chroma lighting technology. There is a light strip on top of the controller that can be customized with Razer’s Synapse software on Xbox and PC.

Razer’s Wolverine Ultimate controller looks like a solid contender to Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Wireless controller. It ought to, considering it will retail for $159.99 when it goes on sale next month. The only real downside, other than the price, is that it doesn’t appear that controller works wirelessly. For some gamers that will be a deal-breaker. We look forward to checking it out. Does the Wolverine Ultimate catch your eye? Sound off in the comments below.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/razer-wolverine-ultimate-takes-on-xbox-elite-controller/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/razer-wolverine-ultimate-takes-on-xbox-elite-controller/VUDU Brings UltraViolet to Apple TV…6 Years Laterhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/_XLPWIkhgTk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/vudu-brings-ultraviolet-to-apple-tv6-years-later/#commentsThu, 24 Aug 2017 14:19:06 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22248Walmart's VUDU streaming service has launched its first app for the Apple TV. Even though it's nearly six years into the game, this is the first UltraViolet service to grace the screen of the Apple TV, finally bringing many consumers' Digital Copy titles to one platform.

Walmart’s VUDU streaming service has launched its first app for the Apple TV. The app arrives over ten years since the launch of the Apple TV, almost as many years since VUDU’s introduction, and almost six years since the introduction of the industry’s UltraViolet digital copy service. Notably, even though it’s this late into the game, this is the first UltraViolet service to grace the screen of the Apple TV, finally bringing many consumers’ Digital Copy titles to one platform.

Despite all the industry excuse-making about how VUDU probably wasn’t on Apple TV because Apple would demand a fee for purchases, Walmart took the approach that savvy pundits had anticipated all along—excluding any of the features that allow you to purchase or rent titles. Instead, the app allows you to watch the titles in your collection (including your UltraViolet titles), watch its ad-infused free titles, and add titles to your Wishlist. This is pretty similar to the related iOS app for phones and tablets. Unfortunately, your VUDU titles are not yet included in Apple TV’s universal search or integrated TV app.

Amazon has announced plans to release its Apple TV app for Amazon Video later this year, and they’re expected to take the same approach. At that point, the Apple TV will be one of the only devices where you can access your digital content from nearly all major online services, including Google (via your YouTube account) and iTunes itself.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/vudu-brings-ultraviolet-to-apple-tv6-years-later/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/24/vudu-brings-ultraviolet-to-apple-tv6-years-later/Entertainment 2.0 #418: The State of Cord Cuttinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/xmny5QNJXs0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/17/entertainment-2-0-418-the-state-of-cord-cutting/#commentsThu, 17 Aug 2017 05:00:49 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22239Jared Newman joins us to talk about the state of cord cutting today. Are we at the point where TV and DVR fans have some reasonable alternatives to traditional cable?

We’ve talked for a while now about having an episode focused on cord cutting, and here it is! We invited Jared Newman, the writer of TechHive’s Cord-Cutter Confidential column, to enlighten us about the state of curd cutting today. Josh couldn’t join us for this one, but Richard has plenty of opinions to share, while Jared politely steers us back to the reality of the situation. Assuming you don’t want all the cords, like Richard does, are we at the point where TV and DVR fans have some reasonable alternatives to traditional cable? And, perhaps more importantly, are the easy enough to use that the rest of the family will be on board?

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/17/entertainment-2-0-418-the-state-of-cord-cutting/feed/0no Jared Newman joins us to talk about the state of cord cutting today. Are we at the point where TV and DVR fans have some reasonable alternatives to traditional cable? The post Entertainment 2.0 #418: The State of Cord Cutting appeared first on The Digita Jared Newman joins us to talk about the state of cord cutting today. Are we at the point where TV and DVR fans have some reasonable alternatives to traditional cable? The post Entertainment 2.0 #418: The State of Cord Cutting appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Cord Cutting, Cordcuttinghttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/17/entertainment-2-0-418-the-state-of-cord-cutting/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/b5mn5g/ent20-episode418.mp3Microsoft Quietly Delays New Controllers and Adapterhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/yWLolJhAuA8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/11/microsoft-quietly-delays-new-controllers-and-adapter/#commentsFri, 11 Aug 2017 20:37:35 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22232Microsoft announced three new controllers and a smaller Xbox Wireless Adapter all for release in within the next month. Unfortunately, all of them were quietly delayed.

]]>Last week on Entertainment 2.0 we reported on Microsoft’s announcement of three new Xbox One controllers and a smaller version of the Xbox Wireless Adapter. The new controllers look great, and the adapter is about half the size of the unit it replaces. Understandably, we were excited about the new devices, and even more exited to get our hands on them. Unfortunately, all four of those devices have been quietly delayed.

Two of the new controllers were essentially just new designs. They are called the Volcano Shadow Special Edition and the terribly-named Green/Grey controller. They were due to ship on August 3rd for $69.99 and $64.99 respectively. The Patrol Tech Special Edition features as a rubberized diamond grip, and it was supposed to be available September 5th for $69.99.

All three of the newly-announced controllers have new release dates listed on the Xbox site. The Volcano Shadow and Green/Grey editions won’t be available until September 5th. The Patrol Tech Special Edition has been pushed back to September 26th.

The final device was a miniaturized version of their Xbox Wireless Adapter. It’s a USB dongle that allows users to pair up to eight Xbox One wireless controllers to a single PC. The functionality remains the same as the device it replaces, but it is housed in a significantly smaller case. They also moved the pairing button from the side (where it could be obstructed by a neighboring USB device) to the end of the device. It was to ship August 8th for $24.99. Unfortunately, this device has been delayed even longer. The official listing at the Microsoft Store has its release date set at January 31, 2018.

It’s not unusual for products to be delayed. It is odd for Microsoft to delay a product, especially by five months, with no information at all. The original announcement post on Xbox Wire hasn’t been updated either. We’re looking forward to getting our hands on these new devices as much as you are, so we’ll keep an eye on those release dates. If anything changes, or Microsoft provides a reason for the delay, we’ll make sure to let you know.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/11/microsoft-quietly-delays-new-controllers-and-adapter/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/11/microsoft-quietly-delays-new-controllers-and-adapter/Entertainment 2.0 #417: Maybe I’m an Xbox Stalkerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/OwAHm10vJkQ/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/10/entertainment-2-0-417-maybe-im-an-xbox-stalker/#commentsThu, 10 Aug 2017 05:00:42 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22228Spotify has finally landed on the Xbox One. Plex brings live TV and DVR out of beta. The Xbox One gets a UI overhaul...again, and Disney is planning their own streaming service.

After a couple quiet weeks on the Microsoft entertainment technology front some fairly big things happened this week! Leaks out of Microsoft surprised everyone as it turned out they were launching a Spotify app for the Xbox One. Josh and Richard have used it, and they’re here to provide their feedback. Plex also brought their live TV and DVR service out of beta while simultaneously offering it on two more platforms. Microsoft also rolled out yet another complete design overhaul for the Xbox One to Insiders.On the industry front, Disney used their earnings call to announce they’d be pulling most of their content from Netflix to build their own service.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/10/entertainment-2-0-417-maybe-im-an-xbox-stalker/feed/1no Spotify has finally landed on the Xbox One. Plex brings live TV and DVR out of beta. The Xbox One gets a UI overhaul...again, and Disney is planning their own streaming service. The post Entertainment 2.0 #417: Maybe I’m an Xbox Stalker appeared first on Spotify has finally landed on the Xbox One. Plex brings live TV and DVR out of beta. The Xbox One gets a UI overhaul...again, and Disney is planning their own streaming service. The post Entertainment 2.0 #417: Maybe I’m an Xbox Stalker appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Gaming, Podcasts, Disney, Netflix, Plex, Spotify, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/10/entertainment-2-0-417-maybe-im-an-xbox-stalker/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/su8pbt/ent20-episode417.mp3Spotify on Xbox — Finally!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/j3QzLm6HCqM/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/08/spotify-on-xbox-finally/#commentsWed, 09 Aug 2017 03:29:17 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22218Spotify, our favorite music streaming, has finally arrived on the Xbox One. It's fast to setup, easy to use, and provides most of the features we demand.

Spotify has long been the music service of choice for most of us at the Digital Media Zone. It has the biggest library, more features than most of the competition, and it’s available on just about every app platform imaginable. Well, it’s been available everywhere except our favorite living room device. Spotify on Xbox One, today it finally happened, and we’re mostly thrilled with the new experience.

Today Spotify launched their official Xbox One app. Any seasoned Spotify user will wonder if the new app supports Spotify Connect. Not only is it supported, it’s used to create one of the best TV login experiences we’ve ever used! Sure, if you want to type your username and password in with a game controller you can do that, but no one actually wants to do that. Instead, grab your phone (or any other device with a Spotify app), go to the section that allows you to control other devices, and select your Xbox One. You’ll be immediately signed in without ever typing a single character! It’s simple, incredibly fast, and we hope it’s an experience that other app developers will copy.

Once logged in you are greeted with the familiar browse interface. You’ll see a few popular to playlists to get you grooving quickly. You can also scroll to the right to find genre-based playlists. From the main tab bar you can select Your Music to see the playlists, albums, and tracks you’ve curated into your own personal collection. If you’re a fan of Spotify’s Your Discover Weekly playlist, it will be the first item in the list. Sadly, you won’t find the familiar Your Daily Mix offerings.

When the music is playing you can access a full screen queue of what’s already been played and what is up next. The huge album artwork shines on the big screen. Of course skipping tracks is simple, and there are buttons for shuffling the list, repeating it, and adding the current song to your collection.

Like most music apps on the Xbox, the Spotify app supports background music playback. That means you can kick off your favorite playlist and then jump into a gaming session with your tunes playing in the background.

The Xbox app for Spotify doesn’t support creating or modifying playlists. This is a feature that would be troublesome to implement for people using a remote control, and probably wouldn’t be used very often. Given all that, we don’t miss the functionality. We’re fine saving the playlist curation for the desktop or mobile apps.

The inclusion of Spotify on the Xbox (and recently inside the Windows Store) seems like something that wouldn’t have happened under the Steven Sinofsky regime. Back when he ran the Windows division of Microsoft it seemed every decision was made from a Microsoft-first perspective. On that surface that seems logical, but that sort of thinking led to the organization focusing on its own products to the determent of their competitors, and ultimately Microsoft’s own users. We don’t know how much credit should be given to the Xbox team, Satya Nadella, or Spotify for this new app, but we’re sure this app never would have happened in the old Microsoft.

So far our experience with the Spotify Music – for Xbox app has been flawless. Spotify Connect has also responded immediately to commands from other devices. The only feature we’d love to see added is the Your Daily Mix playlists. The app is available now for free. It doesn’t require a Spotify Premium subscription either. Install it today from the Xbox Store.

Josh and Richard are back after a week off to cover the latest Microsoft entertainment technology news. Surprisingly this week, Microsoft Groove headlines both the audio and video segments of the show. On the gaming side, Microsoft adds some quality titles to Xbox Game Pass. They’re also showing off Xbox One controllers with new designs. Microsoft is also releasing a new Xbox Wireless Adapter that is significantly smaller than the original version. In related industry news, Richard discovered two new Roku channels for PlayOn.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/03/entertainment-2-0-416-vizualizerizers/feed/0no Microsoft Groove brings music videos to PC and may soon get visualizers. Xbox Game Pass gets more games, and Microsoft shows new controller designs and a smaller Xbox Wireless Adapter. The post Entertainment 2.0 #416: Vizualizerizers appeared first on Th Microsoft Groove brings music videos to PC and may soon get visualizers. Xbox Game Pass gets more games, and Microsoft shows new controller designs and a smaller Xbox Wireless Adapter. The post Entertainment 2.0 #416: Vizualizerizers appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Gaming, Podcasts, Groove, PlayOn, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/03/entertainment-2-0-416-vizualizerizers/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/d8hibv/ent20-episode416.mp3Plex Live TV and DVR Out of Betahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/HY3HgFzLuQE/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/02/plex-live-tv-and-dvr-out-of-beta/#commentsThu, 03 Aug 2017 03:24:39 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22205Plex Live TV and DVR functionality are now available to anyone with a Plex Pass subscription. They've also added time shifting. Is it time to switch to Plex?

]]>Plex TV shocked the home theater PC community when they announced DVR support last year. When it was first released as beta it had many limitations. It could only be managed via the web interface. It didn’t have any support at all for live TV either. Earlier this year they brought limited management to Android TV devices, but even then it didn’t support time shifting.

Today Plex took a major leap forward. For starters, you no longer need to be running a beta version of the Plex Media Server to use Plex DVR. Anyone with a Plex Pass subscription and a supported TV tuner can utilize the functionality. They’ve also brought their live TV functionality more in line with what we expect from a DVR solution. It now supports time shifting (the ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward live television.) While watching a show you can even see an overlay that displays a list of what’s currently showing on your other channels. It’s not quite a traditional grid guide, but it’s close. If you pop open the playlist queue overlay it will also show you the next few shows to air on that channel.

With this new Plex Media Server release also comes new versions of the client applications for Android (phones and tablets) along with Apple TV. They join Android TV and iOS (phones and tablets) as platforms which can manage the DVR and watch live television. Plex continues to work on updating their other clients, so hopefully we’ll see this functionality on Windows 10 and Xbox One soon.

Will this new, and long-awaited, functionality finally be enough to get you to switch from Windows Media Center to Plex? Are there still features that you absolutely must have before switching, or have you already moved on to a different solution? Sound off in the comments below.

MediaMall Technologies, the company behind our favorite PlayOn and PlayOn Cloud products has recently released Roku channels to allow program viewing on your television screen. Lean-back viewing has been the big missing piece for PlayOn, and this finally fills that gap. The new PlayOn Cloud channel lets you watch the shows that you’ve recorded on your PlayOn Cloud account, including automatic commercial skipping. The oddly-named PlayOn Desktop channel (considering it’s an app on a streaming device), lets you watch streaming video from any configured source via PlayOn Desktop, assuming that’s running on a PC somewhere on your home network.

Why Two?

The fact that there are two separate channels just further reinforces the odd separation between these two services. We’ve always found it strange that PlayOn Cloud is so clearly separate from the PlayOn Desktop. Why aren’t these two products more closely integrated? And, perhaps more importantly, why aren’t they at least integrated into the same front-end experience, where the app sees your cloud and/or desktop services and just lets you select between them?

We’ve always been fans of the PlayOn service, and we’re glad to see it finally hit the (at-home) big screen, but the release of two separate apps just further reinforces this service as a hardcore geek offering. And maybe that’s where they want to be, because…we’re still scratching our heads, trying to figure out how this is all legal.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/01/playon-offers-new-roku-channels/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/08/01/playon-offers-new-roku-channels/Home: On #091 – The Kitchen Challengehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/z1GQFpZK-50/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/07/31/home-on-091/#commentsMon, 31 Jul 2017 21:52:37 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22149We look at some of the opportunities and challenges facing companies bringing new technology and connectivity to kitchen devices and appliances. What should manufacturers consider as they explore new technology for the kitchen, and what do consumers need to be thinking about as this space expands?

We look at some of the opportunities and challenges facing companies who are bringing new technology and connectivity to kitchen devices and appliances. What should manufacturers consider as they explore new technology for the kitchen, and what do consumers need to be thinking about as this space expands?

This episode featured guest appearances by Steve Svajian, Cory Borman, and Michael Tankenoff, arranged by Jordan Houston at Anova; Stacey Higginbotham; and Allen Weiner at the Kombucha Network. Background music in this episode was remixed from “Inspired” by Kevin MacLeod, available at incompetech.com. It is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/07/31/home-on-091/feed/0no We look at some of the opportunities and challenges facing companies bringing new technology and connectivity to kitchen devices and appliances. What should manufacturers consider as they explore new technology for the kitchen, and what do consumers need We look at some of the opportunities and challenges facing companies bringing new technology and connectivity to kitchen devices and appliances. What should manufacturers consider as they explore new technology for the kitchen, and what do consumers need to be thinking about as this space expands? The post Home: On #091 &#8211; The Kitchen Challenge appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Anova, connected appliances, food tech, Nomiku, Samsung, smart kitchen, Smart Kitchen Summit, Tovalahttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/07/31/home-on-091/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep091.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #415: The Ban Hammerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/JdCZVeduEXs/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/07/20/entertainment-2-0-415-the-ban-hammer/#commentsThu, 20 Jul 2017 05:00:28 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22146The Xbox gets its first big update since the spring. The guide data crisis is over. Emby has a powerful DVR solution, and Element releases a low cast Amazon-enabled TV.

Microsoft has released the first major update to the Xbox software since the Creators Update hit the gaming console this spring. It brings gamer pics, co-streaming, and much more. The great guide data outage seems to have resolved itself. Emby DVR looks like another solid offering for those looking to move away from Windows Media Center. Microsoft has removed some features from the Fall Creators Update. Element has an Amazon Fire-powered television at a great price, and a $99 headset might be the low-cost alternative to Hololens we’ve been looking for.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

We’ve long said that Windows Media Center won’t be truly dead until the electronic program guide data dries up. While we don’t think it’s gone forever, the latest guide data issue is one of the longest lasting issues to ever impact the community. There is one small amount of good news for Media Center fans though. Also, the Xbox One is the only way to enjoy Atmos audio from Netflix. The ability to gift digital Xbox games is coming soon. The best version of Windows Phone comes to the end of official support, and PlayStation Vue gets a price increase.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

While there still isn’t an official Spotify app for the Xbox, there is a nice third-party app called Spoticast. They’ve completed overhauled the interface specifically for the Xbox. Microsoft has cleared up some details around 4k assets for games once the Xbox One X launches. Will you be seeing larger game downloads this fall? Josh and Richard also have some more thoughts on the forthcoming console, and why you may want to consider getting one, even if you’re primarily a PC gamer. There were new Windows Insider builds released for both PC and mobile, and NBC is launching a streaming subscription service for English Premier League soccer that doesn’t require a cable TV subscription.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/29/entertainment-2-0-413-like-getting-the-pc-for-free/feed/0no Spoticast gets a new Xbox-focused UI update. Microsoft clears up more details around Xbox One X while the guys share more thoughts on the console, and Premier League soccer is going cable-free. The post Entertainment 2.0 #413: Like Getting the PC for Fre Spoticast gets a new Xbox-focused UI update. Microsoft clears up more details around Xbox One X while the guys share more thoughts on the console, and Premier League soccer is going cable-free. The post Entertainment 2.0 #413: Like Getting the PC for Free appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Events, Gaming, Podcasts, Cord Cutting, Spotify, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/29/entertainment-2-0-413-like-getting-the-pc-for-free/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/5sgcn4/ent20-episode413.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #412: Those Are Some Cool Momshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Qb1JwYkMfAw/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/23/entertainment-2-0-412-those-are-some-cool-moms/#commentsFri, 23 Jun 2017 10:30:40 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22138Sling TV brings DVR functionality to Windows and Xbox. Mohu has a new antenna. Spotify is in the Windows Store, and Xbox avatars are getting more fun and diverse.

Josh and Richard are back, and they may be suffering from an E3 hangover. Things got a little weird this week, but there was some good news to cover. Sling TV has received a much-needed update on Windows and Xbox. PlayOn Cloud has drastically reduced their rates. Mohu has a new antenna coming. Spotify is now in the Windows Store. Microsoft is bring more fun, and diversity, to Xbox avatars, and Forza Motorsport 7 will have support for OneDrive music.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/23/entertainment-2-0-412-those-are-some-cool-moms/feed/0no Sling TV brings DVR functionality to Windows and Xbox. Mohu has a new antenna. Spotify is in the Windows Store, and Xbox avatars are getting more fun and diverse. The post Entertainment 2.0 #412: Those Are Some Cool Moms appeared first on The Digital Med Sling TV brings DVR functionality to Windows and Xbox. Mohu has a new antenna. Spotify is in the Windows Store, and Xbox avatars are getting more fun and diverse. The post Entertainment 2.0 #412: Those Are Some Cool Moms appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Events, Gaming, Podcasts, Mohu, Sling TV, Spotify, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/23/entertainment-2-0-412-those-are-some-cool-moms/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/vmupqf/ent20-episode412.mp3Deep Discount on Surface 3 Dockhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/svbqaHkeiDc/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/22/deep-discount-on-surface-3-dock/#commentsThu, 22 Jun 2017 17:53:50 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22132If you recently took advantage of Woot!'s Surface 3 tablet deal, you may be interested in Amazon's current pricing on the Surface 3 Dock.

]]>If you recently took advantage of Woot!’s Surface 3 tablet deal, you may be interested in Amazon’s current pricing on the Surface 3 Dock. As of this writing, the Surface 3 Dock (GJ3-00001) (not compatible with Surface Pro 3), originally released just under $200, is available on Amazon for $20. Twenty dollars! Many thanks to @bdogleague for bringing this to our attention on Twitter!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/22/deep-discount-on-surface-3-dock/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/22/deep-discount-on-surface-3-dock/Swedish Meatballs and Smart Lightinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/y44_N4g193w/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/swedish-meatballs-and-smart-lighting/#commentsMon, 19 Jun 2017 17:10:28 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22078In the home automation market, many companies and startups are participating in a land rush to solve problems we didn’t know we had…in the end not even solving those problems. When home furnishing giant IKEA stepped into the ring, it didn’t come as a surprise that they would start with lighting—the safe place where a […]

]]>In the home automation market, many companies and startups are participating in a land rush to solve problems we didn’t know we had…in the end not even solving those problems. When home furnishing giant IKEA stepped into the ring, it didn’t come as a surprise that they would start with lighting—the safe place where a lot of companies dip their toe in the consumer smart home waters. IKEA has gained a tremendous amount experience with affordable LED lighting and tends to take a different approach to the “home for everyone.” No retailer is better positioned at the moment to offer both the experience and the product together in one place like IKEA

Trådfri (Swedish for wireless) is IKEA’s first smart home product that uses the ZigBee wireless standard for IoT devices. We first introduced Trådfri to our Home: On listeners in episode #87 of Home: On. Since then we’ve had a chance to set up the system and put it through some daily use to see how well it holds true to IKEA’s philosophy to “design things that improve life at home for everyone.” What we’ve experienced so far with Trådfri hasn’t blown us away as unique or revolutionary, but that’s not what the majority of consumers need. For the average, non-technical customer, IKEA has nicely simplified what is too often a frustrating introduction to smart home products.

Product Design

True to its affinity toward simple design, IKEA has produced a very sensible entry into home automation lighting that will surely appeal to the majority of consumers. Like so many IKEA products, Trådfri is one of those perplexing names most customers won’t be able to pronounce correctly, but the company formula proves that has no bearing on the desire to purchase.

Clear and translucent white Trådfri White Spectrum bulbs in a variety of bases and sizes. These feature an adjustable white light, offering 2200K warm yellow light to help you prepare for sleep, a 2700K setting for everyday lighting, and a cool white up to 4000K to help you wake up and stay focused.

A round, wireless, five-button remote for easy on/off, dimming, and toggling between three preset color temperatures IKEA calls Relax, Everyday and Focus on its White Spectrum bulbs. The remote can be hand-held or held in place magnetically with an included, mountable base.

The wireless dimmer, sold pre-paired with a dimmable bulb, is a magic little dial that uses an accelerometer to detect when you’re turning it to dim the lights or turn them off entirely. You can rotate it on the included mountable base that secures it magnetically, or you can take it off the base and rotate it on any surface or in mid-air.

The motion sensor, also sold in a pre-paired bulb kit, detects your motion with passive infrared to turn lights on for 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, based on a dial setting on the back of the sensor. A second dial lets you choose between turning lights on all the time or only when there isn’t adequate daylight.

Finally, the Trådfri Gateway lets you control lights on your local Wi-Fi network with your smartphone, to change the color temperature of Trådfri White Spectrum bulbs, or group multiple lights to dim them and turn them on or off. You can also link lights together with the Trådfri Remote, Dimmer or Motion Sensor. Rather than the typical square-shaped hub that has become a common site in connected lighting, IKEA has opted for a round hub reminiscent of the first generation Hue Bridge, but with a practical twist that values appearance as highly as function. Advances in miniaturization have allowed for a hub that occupies only half of the space behind the removable, circular cover. This clever design allows excess Ethernet and power wires to be neatly tucked away “inside” the hub.

Installation

Out of the box, the Trådfri family of products (with the exception of the Gateway kit) come already paired with the included light bulb, ready to use. Pairing is a process that connects the ZigBee-enabled control devices to ZigBee-enabled bulbs, allowing a specific device to control a specific bulb or group of bulbs.

If you opt to also get Trådfri Gateway (it’s not required to use the Trådfri bulbs), you’ll need to connect the hub to your home network with the included Ethernet cable, although a teardown by iFixit shows a not-yet-functional 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi radio onboard. Power is provided by a standard 5 volt power adapter and USB-A to micro-USB cord you might find with any non-Apple smartphone.

Configuration

We caught up with Marketplace’s Molly Wood in episode #88 of Home: On, where we talked about the challenges the consumer smart home industry still faces and how, for the most part, it really hasn’t taken off the way people have expected. Molly summed it up well, saying “It’s still really hard.” Connecting things to a home router and figuring out network settings is not something most consumers are comfortable with. There are four ways to control Trådfri lighting, and IKEA has made it just about as easy as it can be today. Need to dim a light? Screw in the included Trådfri bulb and dim the light. Even the Trådfri Gateway, while slightly more involved, isn’t really all that complicated.

Pairing and configuring smart lighting may not be as straightforward as assembling a Billy bookshelf, but they do try to make it as easy as possible. IKEA guides your setup process with step-by-step, illustrated instructions in the Trådfri app, available for iOS and Android. The available remote, dimmer and motion sensor all wirelessly connect to both the gateway and bulb(s) via the ZigBee Light Link standard by holding a pairing button on the back of the respective device for 10 seconds. This simple pairing method ensures you’ll never have to get out a magnifying glass to read tiny serial numbers off the base of a bulb to set up Trådfri, and the bulbs can always be controlled with the remotes and motion sensor, even if the Gateway loses power or its connection to the internet.

While Trådfri pairing is simple, it does have its limitations. For example, one or more bulbs may be paired to a single device, and this grouping can be modified from the Trådfri app if you’re using the gateway, but multiple devices such as a dimmer and a motion sensor cannot currently be paired with a single bulb or set of bulbs. This is a notable shortcoming when compared with the Philips Hue Bridge and accessories that don’t have these restrictions and allow their capabilities to be further extended with Hue Labs and third-party apps.

Smart Home Integration

IKEA’s Trådfri products make it easy to add connected lighting to your home, and that’s a great thing for many consumers. But as far as using Trådfri as part of a larger smart home system…that’s a less appealing option right now.

With the Trådfri gateway and app, you can automate your Trådfri lights with three different timers:

turn lights on and off based on a time and day schedule to fool would be burglars

turn lights on or off for periods of time, based on a per day schedule

wake up by gradually by increasing your lights over a 30 minute period based on a time and day schedule

Currently Trådfri doesn’t let you control your lights from outside your home or adjust them to specific color temperatures. In fact, at present the gateway only uses its internet connection to retrieve firmware updates. In a recent press release, though, IKEA announced upcoming compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri via HomeKit. This is great news since this should also allow remote access and future integrations with other third-party software such as IFTTT and Stringify. We’re glad to see IKEA adopting technologies early in Trådfi’s product evolution that can deliver that satisfying feeling of your home responding in various ways to voice first interfaces and your presence or absence.

If you’re looking for a more capable system head over to the SmartThings Community forum, where contributors have already built custom device handlers for several IKEA Trådfri bulbs. And if you’re interested in Trådfri but want to connect everything to everything, you should benefit from the Amazon Voice Service, Google Assistant, and HomeKit integration anticipated later this year. Meanwhile, this just barely fits into the IoT category given its limited use of internet connectivity.

By Comparison…

This wouldn’t be a proper review if we didn’t point out some of the differences when you compare with similar but more mature systems like Philips Hue.

White adjustment. Currently you cannot adjust the Trådfri White Spectrum bulbs beyond more than three defined steps from the remote or within the gateway. This is a choice they’ve made to keep things simple for consumers. There isn’t a technical limitation with the bulb, and as we mentioned before, contributors to the SmartThings community have already written custom device handlers, giving full range adjustment to Trådfri bulbs from within the SmartThings app.

Dimming. We tried pairing IKEA’s dimmer with Philips Hue White bulbs and found that it operates them smoother than the Trådfri bulbs themselves. That was a surprise that shows IKEA still has some work do if they’re to match bulbs in this price range. We also had occasional trouble connecting the pre-paired dimmer with the gateway, and although we found a fairly reliable solution to the issue, it’s not likely to go over well with a non-technical consumer that just wants it to work the first time, every time. We also noted a fairly quick battery drain from all the devices and went through five batteries in total during testing. We suspect the pairing process puts a significant drain on the batteries, but we have not had enough time with the system to know if this will be a factor that affects daily use.

Motion sensor. While you can add the motion sensor to the gateway, its adjustability is limited to simple switches on the back. You can’t fine-tune ambient light sensitivity, so you can’t decide exactly how dark a room should be before your entering triggers the lights. Most other smart home motion sensors not only give you fine adjustment of this setting from the app, they also have fine adjustment of the timing before lights turn off again. Not surprisingly, then, Trådfri doesn’t support any dim or flashing warning before the lights do go out, and you can’t specify different lighting levels in response to motion based on different times of day. This is a nice feature of some more advanced (and, notably, more mature) systems, including Philips hue, which supports one of our favorite uses cases—automatically adjusting lights to their lowest level in the middle of the night so you’re not blinded when entering a bathroom.

Interoperability. Since IKEA Trådfri bulbs operate using the ZigBee Light Link standard, they should be compatible with any hub that is also ZLL compliant. But they’re not fully compliant, and according to Philips, “…IKEA bulbs report their ProfileID as corresponding to the ZigBee Home Automation (ZHA) profile rather than the ZigBee Light Link (ZLL) profile. As the IKEA bulbs do not behave fully compliant with the ZLL standard, they are rejected by the Hue bridge. IKEA is aware of this and informed us their intent is to have the IKEA smart lighting bulbs to work with the Philips Hue bridge.”

In Summary

Whether you like the simplicity of IKEA’s approach or feel their efforts are too limiting, it’s been clear to us for quite some time that no retailer is better positioned at the moment to offer both the experience and the product together in one place like IKEA. We’re generally impressed with the current functionality of IKEA Trådfri products. We’ve found them very reliable and simple to set up and use. More advanced features, like controlling lights when you’re not home, may not be something the general consumer is looking for or needs. We think this system is going to satisfy a large number of buyers, and the planned updates later this year are sure to satisfy an even broader audience.

To learn more about Trådfri and IKEA’s entry into the smart home space, listen to our interview with Björn Block, the Global Leader for IKEA Home Smart, on episode #90 of Home: On.

Have you tried Trådfri or do you plan to? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/swedish-meatballs-and-smart-lighting/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/swedish-meatballs-and-smart-lighting/Home: On #090 – Home Smart, with Björn Blockhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/nlAB7uD6zgk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/home-on-090/#commentsMon, 19 Jun 2017 09:00:31 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22097The digital home assistant space is heating up, IFTTT finally (sort of) adds more T’s, and Richard does his best to pronounce Trådfri, the new smart lighting collection that IKEA’s Björn Block joins us to discuss. Smart lighting is right in IKEA’s wheelhouse, but they’re just getting started.

The digital home assistant space is heating up, IFTTT finally (sort of) adds more T’s, and Richard does his best to pronounce Trådfri, the new smart lighting collection that IKEA’s Björn Block joins us to discuss. Smart lighting is right in IKEA’s wheelhouse, but they’re just getting started.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/home-on-090/feed/0no The digital home assistant space is heating up, IFTTT finally (sort of) adds more T’s, and Richard does his best to pronounce Trådfri, the new smart lighting collection that IKEA’s Björn Block joins us to discuss. Smart lighting is right in IKEA’s wheelh The digital home assistant space is heating up, IFTTT finally (sort of) adds more T’s, and Richard does his best to pronounce Trådfri, the new smart lighting collection that IKEA’s Björn Block joins us to discuss. Smart lighting is right in IKEA’s wheelhouse, but they’re just getting started. The post Home: On #090 &#8211; Home Smart, with Björn Block appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, connected bulbs, Essential Home, Homeboy, HomeKit, IFTTT, IKEA, Insteon, Trådfri, WeMohttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/19/home-on-090/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep090.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #411: Xbox One X: It’s Recursive!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/JvV69GCJlsA/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/15/entertainment-2-0-411-xbox-one-x-its-recursive/#commentsThu, 15 Jun 2017 10:30:23 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22092Microsoft’s announcements from E3 dominated the news and this episode. Project Scorpio has a name, price, and release date. There were also tons of games! We break down the pros and cons of Xbox One X and more!

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or as it’s more commonly know, E3, dominated this week’s Microsoft entertainment technology news. E3 is the biggest video gaming trade show of the year, and Microsoft took to the stage to reveal all the unknown information about Project Scorpio, or as it’s known now: Xbox One X. There’s a lot to get into with the One X including its design, capabilities, and why you may, or may not, want to purchase one. There were also plenty of games to discuss. There were even some games Richard was interested in!

While this week’s show is almost entirely consumed by gaming news, there was a massive new Windows 10 Insider preview build released this week. The guys discuss some of the more interesting features, and Josh uses his mistake to reiterate an important concept for the rest of you!

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/15/entertainment-2-0-411-xbox-one-x-its-recursive/feed/0no Microsoft’s announcements from E3 dominated the news and this episode. Project Scorpio has a name, price, and release date. There were also tons of games! We break down the pros and cons of Xbox One X and more! The post Entertainment 2.0 #411: Xbox One X Microsoft’s announcements from E3 dominated the news and this episode. Project Scorpio has a name, price, and release date. There were also tons of games! We break down the pros and cons of Xbox One X and more! The post Entertainment 2.0 #411: Xbox One X: It’s Recursive! appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Events, Gaming, Podcasts, HDR, Xbox, Xbox One Xhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/15/entertainment-2-0-411-xbox-one-x-its-recursive/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/pf7nba/ent20-episode411.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #410: The Discovery Holehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Ksa1Rui7LY0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/08/entertainment-2-0-410-the-discovery-hole/#commentsThu, 08 Jun 2017 10:30:09 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22085Plex brings its DVR and live TV to multiple clients. SoundCloud comes to Windows 10 and Xbox. Microsoft releases their E3 schedule, and we wonder if Windows 10 ‘CShell’ even matters.

Plex, once again, tops the news this week. They’ve brought their DVR interface to a couple of their client applications. They’ve also included live TV support. SoundCloud has released a beta app for Windows 10 and the Xbox One. Microsoft will be all over E3 in the coming week, and we’ve got all the details for keeping up with the news. Seagate is releasing a new hard drive that perfectly goes along with Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft appears to be unifying the interfaces in Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile using ‘CShell’, but does it still matter? Tablo has released a new DVR, and this one eases the entry into the cord-cutting space.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/08/entertainment-2-0-410-the-discovery-hole/feed/0no Plex brings its DVR and live TV to multiple clients. SoundCloud comes to Windows 10 and Xbox. Microsoft releases their E3 schedule, and we wonder if Windows 10 ‘CShell’ even matters. The post Entertainment 2.0 #410: The Discovery Hole appeared first on T Plex brings its DVR and live TV to multiple clients. SoundCloud comes to Windows 10 and Xbox. Microsoft releases their E3 schedule, and we wonder if Windows 10 ‘CShell’ even matters. The post Entertainment 2.0 #410: The Discovery Hole appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Plex, Tablo, Windows 10 Mobile, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/08/entertainment-2-0-410-the-discovery-hole/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/zryxfw/ent20-episode410.mp3Staples Connect’s Final Gaspshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/xA-rXQXunio/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/06/staples-connects-final-gasps/#commentsTue, 06 Jun 2017 17:37:33 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22068Consumers wondering how long their Staples Connect hubs might still keep operating might want to take notice: a recent offer from the hub's steward, Z-Wave Products, may signal the day we all knew would eventually come.

]]>Consumers who have stuck with the once-promising Staples Connect hub after Staples divorced itself from its former, ambitious project have been wondering how long their Staples Connect hubs might still keep operating. Well a recent offer from the hub’s steward, Z-Wave Products, may signal the day we all knew would eventually come.

Recall back to last year, when Staples handed over the Zonoff-powered hardware to Z-Wave Products. At the time, Staples assured consumers that Z-Wave Products would continue to market and sell the hardware ecosystem while Zonoff would provide continued support for the software and cloud platform upon which it depends (for some undefined amount of time). It appears that we can now better quantify that amount. The trouble is that Zonoff, for all intents and purposes, is gone. And while we’ve wondered what that meant for the Somfy, Staples, and ADT systems that relied on the platform, we haven’t really known how that would play out (aside from the anticipated legal sword rattling by ADT).

It’s Just Mostly Dead

Based on new communications from Z-Wave Products, we can likely gather that the end is near for the Staples Connect Hub. A recent email message to Staples Connect owners notes that with Zonoff’s closure, “technical support for the Staples Connect platform and correlating mobile app will no longer be available, and the future of the host servers is unknown.”

Staples Connect users looking for a replacement controller for their Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Lutron devices may want to consider the Wink Hub 2 as an alternative. Wink supports many of the same devices plus many others that Staples never evolved to include. Z-Wave Products is offering Staples Connect customers a $15 discount on the Wink Hub 2, which is nice but kind of useless since Amazon already sells the product for less.

To be clear, the Connect isn’t quite dead yet, but its days are numbered. Be ready for that first technical glitch that its supporting cloud platform just won’t recover from. The thing we’ll miss the most with Connect, despite all of its limitations and tortured UX, is a capability that no other device has yet provided—the ability to use Lutron’s inexpensive Pico Remotes to control any device in your home. But keep an eye out on this one: Wink offers similar capabilities for Lutron’s Connected Bulb Remote, and if what we learned at CES is true, they may be doing the same for Picos sometime soon.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/06/staples-connects-final-gasps/feed/2http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/06/staples-connects-final-gasps/Entertainment 2.0 #409: Turn Off Your Mic!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Hrm479zjOR0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/02/entertainment-2-0-409-turn-off-your-mic/#commentsFri, 02 Jun 2017 10:30:45 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22063Microsoft brings a new name and new features to Beam. Xbox Game Pass is made official. PlayOn Cloud makes some welcome changes, and Microsoft may not be done with mobile hardware.

This week had more news from the Microsoft entertainment technology space than one might expect for the end of May, and Josh and Richard are here to cover it all. Our favorite game streaming service, Beam, has been renamed. It’s now called Mixer, but there’s more to it than just a new name. PlayOn Cloud has received a couple of important updates. Microsoft has made the Xbox Game Pass official, and one blogger has some information that may point to Microsoft’s continued effort into mobile hardware.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/02/entertainment-2-0-409-turn-off-your-mic/feed/0no Microsoft brings a new name and new features to Beam. Xbox Game Pass is made official. PlayOn Cloud makes some welcome changes, and Microsoft may not be done with mobile hardware. The post Entertainment 2.0 #409: Turn Off Your Mic! appeared first on The Microsoft brings a new name and new features to Beam. Xbox Game Pass is made official. PlayOn Cloud makes some welcome changes, and Microsoft may not be done with mobile hardware. The post Entertainment 2.0 #409: Turn Off Your Mic! appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Mixer, PlayOn, Xbox, Xbox Game Passhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/02/entertainment-2-0-409-turn-off-your-mic/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/c4ztvx/ent20-episode409.mp3Watch Live TV on Plexhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/tj5BoxLJSnc/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/01/watch-live-tv-on-plex/#commentsThu, 01 Jun 2017 16:59:20 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22049Plex, the popular media management server, has expanded its DVR capabilities to include live TV support. They've also brought DVR management to some of their apps.

Plex offers one of the best solutions for cataloging and consuming your personal media collections, and we talk about it all the time. We’re big fans, and we’ve been using it for our movie libraries for years. Last year we were thrilled to see Plex release a DVR solution, but it had some key missing features. The biggest missing feature has been addressed today, and that is live TV support.

If you’re a seasoned Plex user you might be wondering how this all works. After all, previously you’ve only been able to manage DVR recordings and schedules via the Plex web app. Well, today Plex is releasing updated apps for Android TV and iOS devices. These new apps will allow you to fully manage the DVR. You can view the program guide, modify your recording schedule, and everything else that’s only been available through the web interface in the past.

We know that most of our audience is wondering about the Xbox One and Windows apps. They haven’t been updated yet, but Plex has assured us that they plan to release updates for those platforms too.

Plex also announced today that they are expanding their TV tuner support. No longer will you be required to have an HDHomeRun tuner. Some tuners from Hauppauge, AVerMedia, and others, have been added to the list. Even the TV tuner which was released specifically for the Xbox One is supported now. You will have to move that tuner over to the machine that is serving as your Plex Media Server though. For the complete list of supported devices please see this article.

There have been other improvements to Plex DVR. They’ve made the scheduler smarter, and they now will highlight programs that you’re more likely to enjoy based off of other things you’ve watched. Plex also handles overlapping recordings on a single channel now.

Plex Media Server continues to be a free product, but you need to be a Plex Pass subscriber to have access to the DVR and Live TV functionality. A subscription can be purchased for $4.99 per month, or $39.99 for a year of service. They also offer a lifetime option which is ordinarily $149.99. Right now you can grab the lifetime option for 20% off, at $119.99.

We’ll be digging deeper into Plex’s new features over the coming days, but we’d also like to hear how it’s working for you. What features are you still looking for? Sound off in the comments below.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/01/watch-live-tv-on-plex/feed/3http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/06/01/watch-live-tv-on-plex/Xbox Game Pass Offers Unlimited Gaming Subscriptionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/PT_7dmUL5Co/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/25/xbox-game-pass-offers-unlimited-gaming-subscription/#commentsThu, 25 May 2017 23:36:03 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22044Microsoft has unveiled Xbox Game Pass. Does unlimited gaming from a library of over 100 games for $9.99 a month sound great to you? Read on for the details.

Microsoft has launched a new service that many are calling “The Netflix of Video Games.” That’s probably not the most accurate definition of the new service, called Xbox Game Pass, but it’s a good starting point. Xbox Game Pass is a simple subscription offering. You give Microsoft $9.99 every month, and as long as you do, you’ll have access to a library of over 100 games.

When you subscribe to Game Pass you immediately have access to download any of the games available in the library. That’s right, this isn’t a streaming solution. If you want a game, you download the whole thing to your console, just as if you were purchasing it from the store. You’ll be able to play it as long as you like, and as long as you continue to pay the monthly subscription fee.

Every month Microsoft will add more games to the Game Pass library. They haven’t given any indication as to how many new titles we should expect. They also haven’t said anything about the possibility of games being removed from the library. You have to assume that eventually games will be removed. If that’s a concern, or if there are just a couple of games you plan to play for the next few weeks, you can purchase games from the library at a 20% discount. That same discount also applies to any add-ons for those games.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a service like this is the quality of the library. Microsoft has definitely put some top-tier games in the library. You’ll be able to play Halo 5, all of the Gears of War games (except Gears of War 4), Mad Max, NBA 2k16, and the Bioshock games. There are Xbox One games, Xbox 360 games that are backward compatible, and of course indie favorites from the ID@Xbox program.

If you’re an Xbox Live Gold subscriber then Game Pass is already available to you. You don’t need to be an Xbox Insider either. Just go to the Store and scroll down to the section labeled Browse Xbox Game Pass. From there you’ll be able to sign up for a 14-day free trial, or give Microsoft $9.99 to sign up for a whole month. If you’re not an Xbox Live Gold subscriber then you’ll need to wait until June 1st to sign up. There’s one more great thing about Game Pass. It’s launching in 31 markets!

So now that you know what Xbox Game Pass is, how to get it, and how much it will cost, what are your thoughts? Will you be signing up for it? This service seems ideally suited for two groups of people. The first group as those who are brand new to the Xbox ecosystem. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a brand new Xbox than paying $10 and having access to over 100 games! The other group of people this seems perfect for are kids. A parent could spend just $10 a month instead of buying a large quantity of full, or even discount priced, games for their kids. Lets face it, children have a lot more free time than adults, and they are able to play through an entire game a lot more quickly.

Xbox Game Pass is poised to bring a lot of great content to a huge audience of gamers. We can’t wait to see how the library grows, and how the community reacts to the new program.

This week Josh is back with a quick episode. It may be short, but there’s plenty of big news to catch you up on! First, Amazon has finally given Xbox One S users access to the streaming service’s collection of 4k UHD content. Microsoft has also enabled Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones on the Xbox One. The HDHomeRun DVR has received some important updates. Microsoft announced a new Surface Pro, just don’t call it the Surface Pro 5. Josh wraps up the show by giving a brief review of the Audio Technica QuietPoint 33 noise canceling headphones.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/25/entertainment-2-0-408-4k-amazon-and-windows-sonic/feed/0no Amazon brings their 4k UHD content to the Xbox One S, and the console gets Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones. There’s also a new Surface Pro. The post Entertainment 2.0 #408: 4k Amazon and Windows Sonic appeared first on The Digital Media Zone Amazon brings their 4k UHD content to the Xbox One S, and the console gets Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones. There’s also a new Surface Pro. The post Entertainment 2.0 #408: 4k Amazon and Windows Sonic appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Invoke, Mixed Reality, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/25/entertainment-2-0-408-4k-amazon-and-windows-sonic/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/8fgscv/ent20-episode408.mp3Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos Come to Xbox Onehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/7q-Ws_f2tzk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/24/windows-sonic-and-dolby-atmos-come-to-xbox-one/#commentsThu, 25 May 2017 01:18:43 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22034Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones have arrived on the Xbox One. We dig into what to expect with the new features, why you want them, and how to enable them.

]]>The Windows 10 Creators Update launched on PCs and the Xbox One last month. When it arrived on PCs it brought with it a new audio setting called Spatial Sound. This new feature includes two new audio processors called Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

Windows Spatial Sound options attempt to create a surround sound experience using ordinary stereo headphones. The latest update for the Xbox One has brought Spatial Sound with it. It won’t be obvious that you have it, but you definitely do. This isn’t just an Insider Preview feature.

If you play games with a stereo headset, you are definitely going to want to enable Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for Headphones. We tried it out with Overwatch, and we found that it made a significant difference when trying to locate where sounds were coming from within the game. To be successful in first-person shooters you need to quickly locate the enemies, so many gamers have been using surround-sound headsets for years to get a competitive advantage. With these new audio options you can get a similar advantage even if your headset cost a fraction of the high-end surround sound headsets. In fact, many people have reported that using Windows Sonic in place of their headsets built-in surround sound functionality actually sounds better.

Windows Sonic is completely free, and it’s simple to enable. Dolby Atmos for Headphones will set you back $15, but it is offered with a free trial. Given that they are both free, at least to try, there is absolutely no reason not to try them for yourself. Make sure to try them both out in a variety of games. Both Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos are sure to perform different across different games. Check them out, then determine which works best for you and your favorite games.

There is one thing to note with Windows Sonic. Some users have reported that they’ve experienced some crackling with system sounds. Simply disabling, and then re-enabling, Windows Sonic has temporarily alleviated the problem though.

If you decide to try out Dolby Atmos for Headphones, you will first be redirected to the Xbox Store. Again, there’s a free trial, but if you want to keep it you’ll have to fork over $15.

To enable either Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for headphones, follow these simple instructions.

Click the Xbox Guide button to open the side panel.

From the bottom option, select All settings.

Select Display & Sound.

Click on Audio output.

In the middle of the page, there’s a section called Headset audio. Change it to either Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos for headphones.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/24/windows-sonic-and-dolby-atmos-come-to-xbox-one/feed/3http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/24/windows-sonic-and-dolby-atmos-come-to-xbox-one/Home: On #089 – Addressable Lighting, with Dana Kunzhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/sV54v7NyJCo/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/22/home-on-089/#commentsMon, 22 May 2017 09:00:58 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22028Amazon extends the Echo line and capabilities, Ecobee releases the first third-party product with Alexa on board, and Dana Kunz from Avi-on joins Richard after Lightfair to discuss some of the trends we’re seeing from their company and in the industry. Plus we have a few quick interviews from the floor at Lightfair.

Amazon extends the Echo line and capabilities, Ecobee releases the first third-party product with Alexa on board, and Dana Kunz from Avi-on joins Richard after Lightfair to discuss some of the trends we’re seeing from their company and in the industry. Plus we have a few quick interviews from the floor at Lightfair.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/22/home-on-089/feed/0no Amazon extends the Echo line and capabilities, Ecobee releases the first third-party product with Alexa on board, and Dana Kunz from Avi-on joins Richard after Lightfair to discuss some of the trends we’re seeing from their company and in the industry. P Amazon extends the Echo line and capabilities, Ecobee releases the first third-party product with Alexa on board, and Dana Kunz from Avi-on joins Richard after Lightfair to discuss some of the trends we’re seeing from their company and in the industry. Plus we have a few quick interviews from the floor at Lightfair. The post Home: On #089 &#8211; Addressable Lighting, with Dana Kunz appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Events, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Avi-on, C by GE, Ecobee, Feit Electric, Google Home, HomeKit, Hubbell, iDevices, Mixtile, Mr. Beams, Sylvania Smart+http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/22/home-on-089/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep089.mp3Amazon 4K UHD with HDR Arrives on Xbox One Shttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/NtDXC2ViNdk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/20/amazon-4k-uhd-with-hdr-arrives-on-xbox-one-s/#commentsSat, 20 May 2017 23:02:07 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22022Amazon 4k comes to the Xbox One S, making Microsoft's console one of the only devices to support Amazon 4k streaming. The console now offers UHD and HDR via Amazon, Netflix, VUDU, and of course the built-in UHD Blu-ray drive.

Here at the DMZ we’re a little obsessive when it comes to watching high quality video. In fact, just this morning while waiting for my coffee, I wondered what ever happened to the Amazon Video app for the Xbox One S that supported 4K and HDR. Apparently Microsoft and Amazon were reading my caffeine-deprived mind, because later in they day they finally released an updated app.

The new Amazon Video app doesn’t look significantly different, but the video quality is greatly improved for some content. You can now watch Amazon Originals such as The Man in the High Castle and Patriot in Ultra High Definition with High Dynamic Range (HDR) video. If you already have the app installed it should have updated automatically. If you were holding off until you could enjoy 4k, head to the store and get the app for free.

If you’re a frequent user of the Amazon Video app you may not notice a difference at first. If you select Originals from the main menu on the left you’ll see many titles, including Bosch, Patriot, The Man in the High Castle, and Manchester by the Sea, all have a UHD badge in the corner of the poster. If you select a show you’ll also see a badge for HDR on many of the shows. This is the best way to find content in 4k with HDR. If you simply search for a show, like Patriot, it will typically only show you the 1080p version. We don’t understand why there are multiple versions of shows and movies in the catalog, but it’s something you should keep an eye out for.

Now the Xbox One allows you to watch 4k UHD Blu-ray discs, along with offering 4k content from Netflix, VUDU, and Amazon. How is it working out for you? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/20/amazon-4k-uhd-with-hdr-arrives-on-xbox-one-s/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/20/amazon-4k-uhd-with-hdr-arrives-on-xbox-one-s/Entertainment 2.0 #407: Recapping Build 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/aKbl6IokNw8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/18/entertainment-2-0-407-recapping-build-2017/#commentsThu, 18 May 2017 10:30:55 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22017At Build Microsoft revealed plans for the future of Windows, showed off a Cortana-powered speaker, and gave more mixed reality details. The Xbox One also received some new features, and there's a huge sale on backward-compatible games.

This week Microsoft held their biggest development event of the year, Build 2017. At the show they discussed their plans for the future of Windows, and what that meant in a world where their mobile operating system has all but died. Microsoft also provided more details about their plans for mixed reality devices. They announced a cool video editing app, and also showed the first Cortana-powered speaker.

The Xbox One got a surprise update this week. Phantom Dust also got a surprise release with an unbeatable price, and this week’s game sale includes over 200 backward compatible games.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/18/entertainment-2-0-407-recapping-build-2017/feed/0no At Build Microsoft revealed plans for the future of Windows, showed off a Cortana-powered speaker, and gave more mixed reality details. The Xbox One also received some new features, and there's a huge sale on backward-compatible games. The post Entertain At Build Microsoft revealed plans for the future of Windows, showed off a Cortana-powered speaker, and gave more mixed reality details. The Xbox One also received some new features, and there's a huge sale on backward-compatible games. The post Entertainment 2.0 #407: Recapping Build 2017 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Invoke, Mixed Reality, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/18/entertainment-2-0-407-recapping-build-2017/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/vx7za8/ent20-episode407.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #406: Windows 10 RThttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Dl-x9eArbiE/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/04/entertainment-2-0-406-windows-10-rt/#commentsThu, 04 May 2017 10:30:20 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22011In an event largely focused on the education sector, Microsoft announced Windows 10 S and unveiled the Surface Laptop. Our listeners also came to the rescue of another.

This week Microsoft announced a brand new version of Windows 10 and another new Surface device. Josh and Richard discuss the implications of both this week. Before getting into the news they needed to spend much more time covering listener feedback than usual. Apparently, you all really like TiVo, and you’ve all come to the rescue of another listener.

In other news, Spotify is coming to the Windows Store, but that might not actually be as great as you might hope, and Satya Nadella is talking about Microsoft’s next phone device.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/04/entertainment-2-0-406-windows-10-rt/feed/0no In an event largely focused on the education sector, Microsoft announced Windows 10 S and unveiled the Surface Laptop. Our listeners also came to the rescue of another. The post Entertainment 2.0 #406: Windows 10 RT appeared first on The Digital Media Zo In an event largely focused on the education sector, Microsoft announced Windows 10 S and unveiled the Surface Laptop. Our listeners also came to the rescue of another. The post Entertainment 2.0 #406: Windows 10 RT appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Spotify, Surface Laptop, Windows 10, Windows 10 S, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/04/entertainment-2-0-406-windows-10-rt/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/u5egcq/ent20-episode406.mp3Home: On #088 – It’s Complicated, with Molly Woodhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Lrua3OcqI_8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/01/home-on-088/#commentsMon, 01 May 2017 09:00:47 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=22004Samsung releases an impressive new Wi-Fi system but initially limits it to Galaxy S8 users, Burger King and Dominos try to play tricks with your digital home assistants, and Molly Wood joins us for a spirited discussion about how so many smart devices just seem plain dumb. Are the devices really dumb...or maybe just too complicated for most consumers?

Samsung releases an impressive new Wi-Fi system but initially limits it to Galaxy S8 users, Burger King and Dominos try to play tricks with your digital home assistants, and Molly Wood joins us for a spirited discussion about how so many smart devices just seem plain dumb. Are the devices really dumb…or maybe just too complicated for most consumers?

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/01/home-on-088/feed/3no Samsung releases an impressive new Wi-Fi system but initially limits it to Galaxy S8 users, Burger King and Dominos try to play tricks with your digital home assistants, and Molly Wood joins us for a spirited discussion about how so many smart devices ju Samsung releases an impressive new Wi-Fi system but initially limits it to Galaxy S8 users, Burger King and Dominos try to play tricks with your digital home assistants, and Molly Wood joins us for a spirited discussion about how so many smart devices just seem plain dumb. Are the devices really dumb...or maybe just too complicated for most consumers? The post Home: On #088 &#8211; It&#8217;s Complicated, with Molly Wood appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Nest, Philips hue, Ring, Samsung Connect, Samsung Family Hub, TP Link, Wemo Crockpothttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/05/01/home-on-088/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep088.mp3Echo Has a New Lookhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Ct4m7tif3vI/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/29/echo-has-a-new-look/#commentsSat, 29 Apr 2017 21:14:25 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21993Amazon's latest move into the fashion space is a new Echo device with an onboard camera to take pictures of you wearing your favorite outfits in your dressing area. The possibilities are fascinating...and perhaps a bit frightening.

]]>Amazon recently unveiled the latest addition to its Echo product line. The Echo Look, like the original Echo, will be available initially to US customers by invitation only. Echo Look has the same Alexa Voice Service found in other Echo devices, but it also has a camera built in to take vertical-format full-body photos and short videos, hands-free. It includes built-in LED lighting, a depth-sensing camera, and computer vision-based background blur to make subjects stand out and improve the accuracy of Amazon’s machine learning algorithms​.

Amazon’s promotional video describes how its new Style Check service will let you get outfit advice from fashion specialists. It’s pretty clear they’re targeting female shoppers, since the only guy in the video is shown for a total of about two seconds. And it’s a smart step for them—McKinsey & Company estimates the fashion industry to be worth $2.4 trillion, and it is expected to accelerate this year.

Echo Look makes perfect sense for Amazon, and it all fits with its moves toward global retail domination. It’s been betting big in the fashion space with numerous partnerships and acquisitions—even its own streaming fashion series, Style Code Live. According to one Bloomberg report, Amazon is now the biggest online clothing retailer. And consider this: The Echo Look will offer an enormous treasure trove of data for brands to track satisfaction levels, reducing costly returns and exchanges.

But…

Can we just say this? Putting a camera in your dressing area is creepy! Consumers have had mixed reactions to the idea of bringing cameras into the very private spaces in their homes Perhaps this​ initial discomfort is because it’s a fairly new concept, but c’mon…the dressing area?

It takes time to get comfortable with the idea of giving up privacy. We allowed it with email, then we started posting online what previously would have been considered private photos and videos. Next, we decided it was fine to share our location 24/7, and then we willingly​ brought always-listening microphones into our homes. Of course ​a camera for the bedroom ​would be next! The live streaming shower cam can’t be far behind. Actually…let’s hope it’s not.

Seriously though, the data gathered will undoubtedly evolve to other Echo products and uses quickly, and the possibilities are intriguing. Amazon is reported to be accelerating its Echo with a screen (code-named Knight) and could reveal it as early as next month.

This week the guys dig deep into a brand new feature for Windows 10. It’s called Windows Sonic, and it provides 3D spatial audio processing. On the Xbox side, you can finally use a custom picture for your Xbox gamerpic. Josh and Richard discuss how to set it up, and how to find great pictures to use. The day of recording was also an interesting Microsoft anniversary. Can you guess what happened? Finally, Samsung still isn’t satisfied with Dolby Vision, so they’ve come up with their own HDR standard.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/27/entertainment-2-0-405-sonic-spatial-sound/feed/0no Windows has a new feature called Windows Sonic, and it offers a pretty cool way of experiencing three-dimensional sound. The Xbox gets gamerpics, and Samsung invents a new HDR standard. The post Entertainment 2.0 #405: Sonic Spatial Sound appeared first Windows has a new feature called Windows Sonic, and it offers a pretty cool way of experiencing three-dimensional sound. The Xbox gets gamerpics, and Samsung invents a new HDR standard. The post Entertainment 2.0 #405: Sonic Spatial Sound appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Windows 10, Windows Sonic, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/27/entertainment-2-0-405-sonic-spatial-sound/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/2hqxv2/ent20-episode405.mp3The Disconnected Bulbhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/IFDMqxL_7II/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/21/the-disconnected-bulb/#commentsFri, 21 Apr 2017 20:00:27 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21966As connected lighting options expand, the landscape is becoming increasingly confusing and fragmented. But there is hope in the form of new innovations that better address consumers' needs and improve usability.

We’ve seen significant growth in the connected lighting space over the past few years, yet consumers still face a daunting challenge when adding so called “smart lighting” to their homes. Products like Philips Hue, Belkin Wemo and Lifx have arguably made it at least approachable, and Ikea’s new Trådfripromises a simpler approach for their customers to retrofit their homes with modern smart bulbs. But overall, the connected lighting landscape is still fraught with usability issues.

Don’t Touch That Dial!

No matter how many features they pack, all except one type of smart bulb available today are subject to two major limitations:

Your smart bulb must have constant power—turn off the light at the switch, and your “smart” bulb becomes uncontrollable from a fancy wireless knob, button, or smartphone.

They are incompatible with dimmer switches (except for Sengled Element Plus and Element Touch)—most connected bulbs cannot function when the power is reduced through a dimmer, and they usually won’t even dim properly from the switch.

We introduced the Sengled Element Plus and Element Touch in our CES coverage. Sengled is the first manufacturer to date offering smart bulbs that are compatible with a conventional dimmer, but still…don’t turn that switch off!

Switching Switches

If you’re undaunted by some light-duty electrical work, and your housing situation allows it, you can swap out your wall switches with “smart” switches. This allows you to turn a large number of fixtures and bulbs into “smart” lightning, but it is nowhere near as easy as screwing in a lightbulb.

Wireless switches and remotes can help with the traditional control issue, and products like Lutron’s Connected Bulb Remote and Pico Remote, the Flic, iDevices’ Instant Switch (expected mid 2017), Aeotec’s WallMote and Logitech’s POP go a long way to that end. But you still have to keep that old light switch set to ON ornothing will work.

Things Are Shaping Up

While products like the Sengled Element bulbs solve the issue of having to swap-out or leave your conventional dimmer set to full, they—like so many others—haven’t evolved from the half-dome style of early LED lights. We’re not fans of this style because it ignores the need to have light spread evenly toward the base when installed in a table lamp. With the half-dome globes, all the light directs up, away from the base of the bulb!

We’re finally seeing manufacturers start to pay much more attention to fixing this issue, particularly since Cree shook things up with the Cree Connect LED Bulb‘s “4Flow” design that eliminated the need for a light-blocking heat sink at the base. These types of bulbs can spread light more evenly, like the traditional incandescent bulbs we’re all used to.

A Brighter Future

There’s a lot of room for further innovation in the connected lighting space, and companies like Sengled and BeONHome have been proving that out with lightbulb features like built-in battery backup for temporary lighting during power failure, upgradeable “smarts,” and presence “spoofing” to fool would-be burglars.

Ikea may be one of the best positioned to succeed, with their expertise in experiential selling and an ability to introduce smart lighting to the masses at a reasonable price. And if their previously publicized connected kitchen concept is any gauge for what’s coming, they have a lot in store. [Pun intended.] It will be interesting to see how they handle the complexities of a connected Ikea home going forward. As you can see in this official Ikea Sweden YouTube video, Trådfri is not a candidate for a simple instruction sheet and a hex wrench (though they do try).

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/21/the-disconnected-bulb/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/21/the-disconnected-bulb/Entertainment 2.0 #404: Podcast Not Foundhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/tcdGG8RaLeU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/20/entertainment-2-0-404-podcast-not-found/#commentsThu, 20 Apr 2017 10:30:16 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21974Microsoft’s rapid release strategy means we’re already seen tons of new features on the Xbox. Plus more details about a Cortana-powered speaker, a May event, and a new holographic headset.

Microsoft’s rapid release strategy seems to be impacting the Xbox development lifecycle at a far faster rate than the desktop version of Windows 10. That means that despite the Creators Update only being available for a couple weeks we’ve already got new Xbox features to discuss and use. Self-service refunds are coming to the Windows Store. There’s also a wealth of small but impactful features coming to the Xbox and the Windows 10 Xbox app to improve the gaming experience across both platforms.

Details about Microsoft’s plan for a Cortana-powered Amazon Echo competitor have emerged from a Redstone 3 Insider build of Windows 10. The company is also planning a big event in May, but it doesn’t sound like the big hardware showcase that many had expected. Lenovo is also planning to release a Windows Holographic headset this summer, and it sounds pretty spectacular.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/20/entertainment-2-0-404-podcast-not-found/feed/0no Microsoft’s rapid release strategy means we’re already seen tons of new features on the Xbox. Plus more details about a Cortana-powered speaker, a May event, and a new holographic headset. The post Entertainment 2.0 #404: Podcast Not Found appeared first Microsoft’s rapid release strategy means we’re already seen tons of new features on the Xbox. Plus more details about a Cortana-powered speaker, a May event, and a new holographic headset. The post Entertainment 2.0 #404: Podcast Not Found appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Windows 10, Windows Holographic, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/20/entertainment-2-0-404-podcast-not-found/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/gu2y25/ent20-episode404.mp3Home: On #087 – The Connected Car, with Ljuba Miljkovichttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/4j5WgEADICA/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/17/home-on-087/#commentsMon, 17 Apr 2017 09:00:20 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21953IKEA finally moves into smart home retail with the introduction of its connected lighting line in U.S. markets, Google Home expands its capabilities and markets, and Ljuba Miljkovic, co-founder of Automatic, joins us to discuss the potential of including your car in your connected life and home.

IKEA finally moves into smart home retail with the introduction of its connected lighting line in U.S. markets, Google Home expands its capabilities and markets, and Ljuba Miljkovic, co-founder of Automatic, joins us to discuss the potential of including your car in your connected life and home.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/17/home-on-087/feed/0no IKEA finally moves into smart home retail with the introduction of its connected lighting line in U.S. markets, Google Home expands its capabilities and markets, and Ljuba Miljkovic, co-founder of Automatic, joins us to discuss the potential of including IKEA finally moves into smart home retail with the introduction of its connected lighting line in U.S. markets, Google Home expands its capabilities and markets, and Ljuba Miljkovic, co-founder of Automatic, joins us to discuss the potential of including your car in your connected life and home. The post Home: On #087 &#8211; The Connected Car, with Ljuba Miljkovic appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Automatic, connected car, ecobee3, Google Home, iDevices, IKEA, Insteon, SmartThings, Trådfrihttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/17/home-on-087/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep087.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #403: Inside Project Scorpiohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Z33Wusnl4GM/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/13/entertainment-2-0-403-inside-project-scorpio/#commentsThu, 13 Apr 2017 10:30:11 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21949Microsoft gave the world a detailed look at the hardware that will be powering Project Scorpio. Bitstream audio comes to the Xbox One. A new Windows Phone is on the way too!

It was a big week in Microsoft entertainment technology news, and it was headlined by the surprise reveal of Project Scorpio’s technical specifications. UK Xbox One users have a new video service to check out. The Xbox One has also received an update that will please Atmos fans. Microsoft is having a huge spring sale on Xbox games, and the first ever sale on Design Lab controllers. A new Windows Phone could hit the streets this August, but Spotify fans on Microsoft’s mobile platform were hit with some bad news. Microsoft also detailed exactly which phones will be receiving the Creators Update.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/13/entertainment-2-0-403-inside-project-scorpio/feed/0no Microsoft gave the world a detailed look at the hardware that will be powering Project Scorpio. Bitstream audio comes to the Xbox One. A new Windows Phone is on the way too! The post Entertainment 2.0 #403: Inside Project Scorpio appeared first on The Di Microsoft gave the world a detailed look at the hardware that will be powering Project Scorpio. Bitstream audio comes to the Xbox One. A new Windows Phone is on the way too! The post Entertainment 2.0 #403: Inside Project Scorpio appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Project Scorpio, Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/13/entertainment-2-0-403-inside-project-scorpio/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/2f3aaa/ent20-episode403.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #402: Over-Promise and Under-Deliverhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/AMEWmsK34Ys/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/06/entertainment-2-0-402-over-promise-and-under-deliver/#commentsThu, 06 Apr 2017 10:30:23 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21945The Windows 10 Creators Update has arrived, and we’re here to break down what you can expect to see, and what didn’t make the cut.

This week Microsoft released the Windows 10 Creators Update for one platform, and announced the official release dates for the other two platforms. Josh and Richard recap what changes you’ll be seeing across Windows 10 on PC, mobile, and the Xbox One. They also dig into some of the features that were originally announced but didn’t make the cut. There’s also a nicely implemented new feature coming to Netflix on Windows 10. Groove Music is also getting new features along with a look at Microsoft’s next design language.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/06/entertainment-2-0-402-over-promise-and-under-deliver/feed/0no The Windows 10 Creators Update has arrived, and we’re here to break down what you can expect to see, and what didn’t make the cut. The post Entertainment 2.0 #402: Over-Promise and Under-Deliver appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. The Windows 10 Creators Update has arrived, and we’re here to break down what you can expect to see, and what didn’t make the cut. The post Entertainment 2.0 #402: Over-Promise and Under-Deliver appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/04/06/entertainment-2-0-402-over-promise-and-under-deliver/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/q82ain/ent20-episode402.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #401: Microsoft’s Spring Planshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/1D-LKzzx3TE/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/30/entertainment-2-0-401-microsofts-spring-plans/#commentsThu, 30 Mar 2017 10:30:27 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21937The guys look at Microsoft’s big spring as they are about to launch a major update to Windows 10 on PCs and the Xbox One. They may have some new hardware coming too.

After a week off the guys are back to discuss the latest Microsoft entertainment technology news. First up the guys take a look at a great guide to 4k and HDR content. Microsoft announced a new Xbox controller line. They’ve also brought their excellent text-to-speech technology to gaming, and because it’s almost a new month, there are new Games with Gold to discuss.

The guys also look forward to the Windows 10 Creators Update coming to PCs and Xbox. They also discuss what may and may not be coming in terms of hardware. On the content side they’ve got a great list for keeping track of what television shows have been renewed, and VUDU has a new way to convert your Blu-ray discs to digital copies.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/30/entertainment-2-0-401-microsofts-spring-plans/feed/0no The guys look at Microsoft’s big spring as they are about to launch a major update to Windows 10 on PCs and the Xbox One. They may have some new hardware coming too. The post Entertainment 2.0 #401: Microsoft&#8217;s Spring Plans appeared first on The Di The guys look at Microsoft’s big spring as they are about to launch a major update to Windows 10 on PCs and the Xbox One. They may have some new hardware coming too. The post Entertainment 2.0 #401: Microsoft&#8217;s Spring Plans appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, 4K, Surface, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/30/entertainment-2-0-401-microsofts-spring-plans/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/imw4ic/ent20-episode401.mp3Xbox Won’t be Getting TV Picture-in-Picturehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/QsDJCdJdNTk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/29/xbox-wont-be-getting-tv-picture-in-picture/#commentsThu, 30 Mar 2017 02:45:26 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21940We were happy to see the release of the Creators Update on Xbox today, but were disappointed to hear picture-in-picture support isn't coming for TV usage.

]]>Today Microsoft surprised us by releasing the Creators Update to all Xbox One owners. It brings Beam streaming, many user interface enhancements, and the death of Snap Mode to the entertainment console. None of the new features or changes were surprises as many people have had access to Insider Preview builds of the new operating system for months.

With the death of Snap Mode (the ability to devote about 30% of the side of the screen to a secondary app) Microsoft has shown how they plan to display extra apps and features on-screen while gaming. For example, the new update adds an achievement tracker that will float a small list of achievements over top of the main game screen. Similarly, when streaming with Beam there is a small information bar that is displayed over top of the game. This can also be moved around the screen so as not to obstruct key interface components within a game.

This lead us to hope they would extend this concept to television and other video applications. Unfortunately, Mike Ybarra, corporate vice president of Xbox, tweeted the following:

So it looks as though Microsoft may not be bringing picture-in-picture support for TV after all. There are a few different ways to look at this announcement. The first is to consider that they are asking users to voice their feedback, and Microsoft has really done an excellent job lately when it comes to listening to their customers. Another way to examine this is to note that Ybarra was pretty specific in naming TV as the feature that won’t be getting picture-in-picture support. He didn’t mention video apps. Microsoft is known to strongly consider usage data when determining which features to work on. We’d be willing to bet that video apps like Netflix and Amazon get far more usage than the TV features which require either a separate OTA TV tuner or the user to connect their cable box through the Xbox’s HDMI input.

If you’d like to see Microsoft add picture-in-picture support then your best bet is to head over to the Xbox User Voice site. To vote for picture-in-picture in TV check out this post. To throw some votes toward video apps you’ll need to vote on this and this.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/29/xbox-wont-be-getting-tv-picture-in-picture/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/29/xbox-wont-be-getting-tv-picture-in-picture/Home: On #086 – DIY Security, with Dave McCabehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/tiItoaPGalk/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/27/home-on-086/#commentsMon, 27 Mar 2017 09:00:55 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21921RESET host Dave McCabe joins us to touch on the latest news updates and talk through some of the challenges he's facing as he looks to extend his smart home setup to be a DIY security system. Is spinning your own home security the right solution for you? We discuss some of the things you should consider.

RESET host Dave McCabe joins us to touch on the latest news updates and talk through some of the challenges he’s facing as he looks to extend his smart home setup to be a DIY security system. Is spinning your own home security the right solution for you? We discuss some of the things you should consider.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/27/home-on-086/feed/3no RESET host Dave McCabe joins us to touch on the latest news updates and talk through some of the challenges he's facing as he looks to extend his smart home setup to be a DIY security system. Is spinning your own home security the right solution for you? RESET host Dave McCabe joins us to touch on the latest news updates and talk through some of the challenges he's facing as he looks to extend his smart home setup to be a DIY security system. Is spinning your own home security the right solution for you? We discuss some of the things you should consider. The post Home: On #086 &#8211; DIY Security, with Dave McCabe appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, home security, iDevices, Insteon, Leviton, Ring, SmartThings, Stringify, Zonoffhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/27/home-on-086/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep086.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #400: Too Much Geometryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/RcR9GKCW1HM/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/16/entertainment-2-0-400-too-much-geometry/#commentsThu, 16 Mar 2017 10:30:52 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21916SlingTV gets a major update while Microsoft redesigns Movies & TV. Plex Cloud is now available to everyone, and Sony is bringing PlayStation 4 games to Windows PCs.

Holy cow! These guys have recorded 400 episodes of a podcast dedicated to the Microsoft entertainment technology space! Unfortunately, Richard couldn’t join Josh for the show, but long-time DMZ contributor (and great friend) James Montemagno was able to join the show.

In the video space SlingTV has released a major update to their Xbox One app and Microsoft is redesigning their Movies & TV app. Plex Cloud is now more widely available too. Groove Music has a couple nice new features on Android. Sony is bringing PlayStation 4 games to Windows PCs, and another popular mobile app is leaving the Windows platform.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/16/entertainment-2-0-400-too-much-geometry/feed/0no SlingTV gets a major update while Microsoft redesigns Movies &#038; TV. Plex Cloud is now available to everyone, and Sony is bringing PlayStation 4 games to Windows PCs. The post Entertainment 2.0 #400: Too Much Geometry appeared first on The Digital Med SlingTV gets a major update while Microsoft redesigns Movies &#038; TV. Plex Cloud is now available to everyone, and Sony is bringing PlayStation 4 games to Windows PCs. The post Entertainment 2.0 #400: Too Much Geometry appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Groove, PlayStation Now, SlingTV, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/16/entertainment-2-0-400-too-much-geometry/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/6w4ur4/ent20-episode400.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #399: HDR 10s and the 7.1shttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/GKRn-ZEJTpU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/09/entertainment-2-0-399-hdr-10s-and-the-7-1s/#commentsThu, 09 Mar 2017 11:30:52 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21911Mini Mode brings video multi-tasking to Windows 10. YouTube is talking TV. Spotify looks to go hi-fi. Xbox to offer game subscriptions, and a once-desired phone sees new life.

Josh and Richard are back to cover the latest Microsoft entertainment technology news. The Windows 10 Creators Update has a small new feature starting to see the light of day that has Josh excited. YouTube looks to enter the streaming TV market. The guys have a reminder for any long-time Zune users while Spotify may be launching a hi-fi service soon. A once-intriguing, but never realized, Windows phone sees new life with a new OS.

On the gaming side Xbox will soon be offering a Netflix-style gaming service. Microsoft also has more benefits for indie game developers.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/09/entertainment-2-0-399-hdr-10s-and-the-7-1s/feed/0no Mini Mode brings video multi-tasking to Windows 10. YouTube is talking TV. Spotify looks to go hi-fi. Xbox to offer game subscriptions, and a once-desired phone sees new life. The post Entertainment 2.0 #399: HDR 10s and the 7.1s appeared first on The Di Mini Mode brings video multi-tasking to Windows 10. YouTube is talking TV. Spotify looks to go hi-fi. Xbox to offer game subscriptions, and a once-desired phone sees new life. The post Entertainment 2.0 #399: HDR 10s and the 7.1s appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Spotify, Xbox, YouTube, Zunehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/09/entertainment-2-0-399-hdr-10s-and-the-7-1s/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/6d23pw/ent20-episode399.mp3Home: On #085 – Hey Dingus, with James Montemagnohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/fXRaD9V_MQI/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/06/home-on-085/#commentsMon, 06 Mar 2017 09:00:11 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21882DMZ alum and listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard to talk about today's digital home assistants and, in particular, his own experience with Google Home. This highly technical guy’s first dive into smarthome tech is a telling tale about the current state of this market.

DMZ alum and listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard to talk about today’s digital home assistants and, in particular, his own experience with Google Home. This highly technical guy’s first dive into smarthome tech is a telling tale about the current state of this market.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/06/home-on-085/feed/0no DMZ alum and listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard to talk about today's digital home assistants and, in particular, his own experience with Google Home. This highly technical guy’s first dive into smarthome tech is a telling tale about the cu DMZ alum and listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard to talk about today's digital home assistants and, in particular, his own experience with Google Home. This highly technical guy’s first dive into smarthome tech is a telling tale about the current state of this market. The post Home: On #085 &#8211; Hey Dingus, with James Montemagno appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Cortana, GE Lighting, Google Home, Google Play, iDevices, Microsoft, Nest Cam, SmartThingshttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/03/06/home-on-085/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep085.mp3Stringify Adds the Power of Insteon Sceneshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/H1n_8u-t5vY/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/27/stringify-adds-the-power-of-insteon-scenes/#commentsMon, 27 Feb 2017 15:03:08 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21885Connected services integration platform Stringify now supports Insteon scenes, giving you powerful new control and capabilities in your Insteon smart home.

Stringify is one of the best tools we’ve come across for smart home enthusiasts, allowing you to integrate unlike products and ecosystems for powerful automation capabilities. Think of it like IFTTT on steroids. But unlike IFTTT, Stringify allows you to set conditions on your triggers and initiate multiple actions. If-this-while-this-and-this-then-that-and-that-and-that. It’s basically IFTTT with more T’s.

After speaking with Stringify’s CTO and their CEO in past episodes of Home: On, we’ve been experimenting with Stringify, and it’s a promising service with great potential. Among its offerings is its ability to solve one of the biggest problems we’ve had in this space—bridging Insteon products with other ecosystems and third-party products. This can extend Insteon’s reach in your home, but it also helps you overcome some of Insteon’s own limitations. Muzzley and a few other products attempt to integrate Insteon, and Nest’s now-defunct Revolv hub did the same. But so far, we haven’t seen anyone tackle this as well as Stringify.

And it just got better: the team at Stringify recently added the ability to trigger Insteon scenes within your Stringify flows. If you’re an Insteon power user, you may immediately recognize the significance of this. Many third-party products that integrate with Insteon let you control devices only—not scenes. So if you rely on scenes to control your home or keep devices and controllers in sync with each other, you’re out of luck.

Let’s say you have outside flood lights that you control with an Insteon dimmer near your front door and a button on an Insteon keypad by the back door. A Stringify flow that turns on the floods when your Arlo camera detects motion outside at night would trigger the dimmer for the floods but not the keypad button. Now it can. By activating the Insteon flood lights scene that you likely already created to link your Insteon keypad and dimmer (and if you haven’t you should), everything stays in sync.

To use an Insteon scene in a Stringify flow, add the Insteon hub “thing” for the home you want to control to the flow, then configure it by selecting the scene you want to trigger. Note that like in so many smarthome apps we’ve encountered lately, the scenes are not presented in alphabetical order, so you may need to scroll a bit to find what you’re looking for. If you’re updating a flow that already references specific Insteon devices, you can just drag the Insteon device thing in your flow to the Replace target, then select and configure your Insteon hub thing.

This is a powerful enhancement for Insteon users, and it’s simple to use or integrate into your existing flows. We’re thrilled to see this addition to Stringify’s Insteon support, and we expect it will only get better as Stringify continues to evolve and grow. Our wish list: support for Lutron Caséta (purportedly already on the roadmap) and Stack Lightingand both web and tablet interfaces to take the task of designing complex flows beyond the small screen on your phone.

Have you used Stringify to bolster your Insteon or other smarthome system? What are some of your favorite flows you’ve created for your needs? Share your thoughts in the comments, below.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/27/stringify-adds-the-power-of-insteon-scenes/feed/1http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/27/stringify-adds-the-power-of-insteon-scenes/Entertainment 2.0 #398: What Year Do You Think This Is?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/vOoOeKYSePE/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/17/entertainment-2-0-398-what-year-do-you-think-this-is/#commentsFri, 17 Feb 2017 11:30:39 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21876Plex melds their latest betas. Kodi is going UWP. Xbox gamers get long awaited features from an unlikely source, and Richard is lusting after a new product.

]]>It seems like it wouldn’t be an episode of Entertainment 2.0 without at least a little talk about Plex, and episode 398 doesn’t disappoint. There’s also big news for Kodi fans. Groove gets a welcome update on Android and iOS. True Achievements is offering Xbox users a few features they’ve been clamoring for, well, for years. Comcast has a brand new app that looks to please many of their paid TV customers, and Richard is quite intrigued by a newly announced device from a company called Caavo.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/17/entertainment-2-0-398-what-year-do-you-think-this-is/feed/0no Plex melds their latest betas. Kodi is going UWP. Xbox gamers get long awaited features from an unlikely source, and Richard is lusting after a new product. The post Entertainment 2.0 #398: What Year Do You Think This Is? appeared first on The Digital Me Plex melds their latest betas. Kodi is going UWP. Xbox gamers get long awaited features from an unlikely source, and Richard is lusting after a new product. The post Entertainment 2.0 #398: What Year Do You Think This Is? appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Caavo, Comcast, Groove, Kodi, Plex, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/17/entertainment-2-0-398-what-year-do-you-think-this-is/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/7fkisq/ent20-episode398.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #397: Guide Data Roulettehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/q354NcN-pXU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/09/entertainment-2-0-397-guide-data-roulette/#commentsThu, 09 Feb 2017 11:30:58 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21871Windows Media Center’s guide data almost dried up again. HDHomeRun brings copy-protected TV to Xbox and PC. SoundByte is a great Sound Cloud client, and Vizio gets slapped on the wrist.

]]>This week Josh and Richard are back with a show that is jam packed full of nothing but Microsoft entertainment technology news. There was another guide data outage for Windows Media Center users this week, and it sent some users toward a product called EPG123. SiliconDust also brought support for live playback of copy-protected content to Windows 10 PCs and the Xbox One. SoundByte, a Sound Cloud client for Xbox, got some nice usability enhancements, and Fallout Shelter landed on Xbox and Windows as a Play Anywhere title.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/09/entertainment-2-0-397-guide-data-roulette/feed/0no Windows Media Center’s guide data almost dried up again. HDHomeRun brings copy-protected TV to Xbox and PC. SoundByte is a great Sound Cloud client, and Vizio gets slapped on the wrist. The post Entertainment 2.0 #397: Guide Data Roulette appeared first Windows Media Center’s guide data almost dried up again. HDHomeRun brings copy-protected TV to Xbox and PC. SoundByte is a great Sound Cloud client, and Vizio gets slapped on the wrist. The post Entertainment 2.0 #397: Guide Data Roulette appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Sound Cloud, Vizio, Windows Media Center, Xbox Onehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/09/entertainment-2-0-397-guide-data-roulette/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/vzxrre/ent20-episode397.mp3Home: On #084 – Post CES, with Josh Pollardhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/8M9Q9YFmLf0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/06/home-on-084/#commentsMon, 06 Feb 2017 10:00:10 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21866The DMZ’s Josh Pollard joins Richard after CES with some vendor interviews and to share their thoughts on some of their favorite products at the show. We’re a bit late bringing you these interviews, but there’s a lot of great stuff here, so we hope you’ll enjoy them just the same.

The DMZ’s Josh Pollard joins Richard after CES with some vendor interviews and to share their thoughts on some of their favorite products at the show. We’re a bit late bringing you these interviews, but there’s a lot of great stuff here, so we hope you’ll enjoy them just the same.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/06/home-on-084/feed/0no The DMZ’s Josh Pollard joins Richard after CES with some vendor interviews and to share their thoughts on some of their favorite products at the show. We’re a bit late bringing you these interviews, but there’s a lot of great stuff here, so we hope you’l The DMZ’s Josh Pollard joins Richard after CES with some vendor interviews and to share their thoughts on some of their favorite products at the show. We’re a bit late bringing you these interviews, but there’s a lot of great stuff here, so we hope you’ll enjoy them just the same. The post Home: On #084 &#8211; Post CES, with Josh Pollard appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. CES 2017, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Almond 3, Blink, CES, GE, iDevices, Lutron Caséta, Ring, Sengled, Stringify, Vivinthttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/06/home-on-084/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep084.mp3Kwikset (Finally) Brings the HomeKit with Premis Lockhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/NTndt4CwFpg/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/kwikset-finally-brings-the-homekit-with-premis-lock/#commentsFri, 03 Feb 2017 13:26:52 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21841Last year, Kwikset announced that it would be producing a smart lock that would be compatible with Apple's HomeKit ecosystem. Nearly a year later, Kwikset delivers the Premis Lock with a familiar form and featureset.

]]>Last year at CES, Kwikset was one of numerous companies announcing HomeKit compatible versions of its products. Most of the product companies we covered at the event delivered last year, but we started 2017 wondering where Kwikset’s Premis was and if we’d see it again at this year’s show. In fact we did…just one day after the lock hit the market online.

At this year’s CES, Kwikset showed off the new Premis, now available for purchase at Amazon.com. It’s virtually identical to its Z-Wave sibling, the Kwikset SmartCode 916, both in form and function. Like the 916, Premis sports a sleek, black touchpad; includes protections against smudge attacks; supports up to 30 customizable user entry codes; and includes Kwikset’s patented SmartKey re-keying technology, allowing you to use your existing Kwikset key without having to engage a locksmith.

The big difference in Premis is that it uses Bluetooth rather than a Z-Wave radio for connectivity, and it’s only compatible with iOS devices and Apple HomeKit—not any other ecosystem supporting Bluetooth locks, and not Android. While manufacturers’ marketing departments would have you believe that locking your doors with Siri is the killer feature of HomeKit, the real power lies in the ability to monitor and control your lock with the same app that manages your lights, blinds, and environment control. Of course, Kwikset provides its own app, too, for more complex capabilities like user code configuration and monitoring.

Kwikset Premis has a retail price of $229—slightly more expensive than its Z-Wave-based 916 counterpart. It is available in Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze. Unlike its Z-Wave sibling, it is not also available in brass. Kwikset plans to release a contemporary-styled version of the lock at a later point, but there’s no word on additional finishes in Premis’s future.

So was getting into the HomeKit game a good move for Kwikset? If first days are any indication, it’s a pretty good bet. You won’t find it in brick and mortar retail stores just yet, but within the first 48 hours of being available at Amazon, Kwikset Premis was the top seller in its category, deadbolts—that’s all deadbolts, connected or otherwise. It remains there a month later, beating out August’s previous best-selling 1st-generation lock. It’s also available online from Best Buy and Home Depot.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/kwikset-finally-brings-the-homekit-with-premis-lock/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/kwikset-finally-brings-the-homekit-with-premis-lock/Entertainment 2.0 #396: Clogging the Tubeshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/-yQenWHfA7s/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/entertainment-2-0-396-clogging-the-tubes/#commentsFri, 03 Feb 2017 11:30:43 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21857A new live and catch-up TV app comes to Windows. Plex is making news by bringing the news. Xbox tweaks the Insider program. Windows may have a new SKU and the FCC has a new chief.

]]>We’re back with entertainment technologies news covering the entire Microsoft media spectrum, plus some interesting stories from around the industry. Our British listeners have a new app for watching live TV and catching up on shows they might have missed. Plex has made a major acquisition that we’re very excited about. Napster has an updated app that causes us to ask you all a question. Microsoft has remedied a minor screw-up in the Xbox Insider program while also releasing two new controllers for the game console. There’s a new version of Windows on the horizon, and yet again Microsoft has failed to give it a meaningful name. Josh and Richard also take different points of view on the latest news from the FCC, while the major movie and music studios have given up on one of their key strategies for combating piracy.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/entertainment-2-0-396-clogging-the-tubes/feed/0no A new live and catch-up TV app comes to Windows. Plex is making news by bringing the news. Xbox tweaks the Insider program. Windows may have a new SKU and the FCC has a new chief. The post Entertainment 2.0 #396: Clogging the Tubes appeared first on The A new live and catch-up TV app comes to Windows. Plex is making news by bringing the news. Xbox tweaks the Insider program. Windows may have a new SKU and the FCC has a new chief. The post Entertainment 2.0 #396: Clogging the Tubes appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, FCC, HTPC, Napster, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/03/entertainment-2-0-396-clogging-the-tubes/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/xghaga/ent20-episode396.mp3HDHomeRun Now Supports Copy-Protected TV on Xbox Onehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/WrtS0zTYBuI/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/02/hdhomerun-now-supports-copy-protected-tv-on-xbox-one/#commentsThu, 02 Feb 2017 18:36:35 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21853SiliconDust has announced a new version of their HDHomeRun app for the Xbox One. It allows users with CableCARD tuners to watch live copy-protected content.

As a quick recap, some cable providers put a layer of copy-protection on some, or all, programs. Prior to this update, if that copy-protection is enabled then you can only view the non-DRM enabled programs. Which channels and programs are protected is entirely up to the cable providers. For some people, only premium channels (like HBO) are copy protected, but other providers protect everything.

If you’ve already got the HDHomeRun app on your Xbox One make sure to update it to the latest version. It should work for live playback without issue. If you’re part of the HDHomeRun DVR program, you can’t record copy-protected content yet. Recording, and the playback, of copy-protected content will come later.

Many of you also realize that Xbox One and Windows 10 both use UWP apps that can be shared across both platforms. Unfortunately, the answer to whether this update will work for Windows 10 PC users is a far more difficult question to answer.

SiliconDust is saying that many PCs which have a built-in screen (like laptops, tablets, and all-in-one PCs) may support copy-protected playback. There’s a huge list of requirements to fully support DRM on PCs. While SiliconDust didn’t fully specify what those requirements are, there’s no reason not to try it. The app is free after all.

Update for further clarification: For PCs that connect to a monitor or television via HDMI, the app may not support copy-protected content currently. This is due to an issue with the way HDCP is handled. SiliconDust is working directly with Microsoft to address this, and an updated app will be released once a solution has been made available.

If you are able to play back copy-protected shows on your PC, you may not get any audio video. There is a simple, but frustrating, solution. The problem stems from the fact that Windows 10 doesn’t natively include support for Dolby audio MPEG-2 video. To get it working you’ll need to purchase the Windows DVD Player app from the Windows Store. It will set you back $14.99. Nick from SiliconDust says that a future version of Windows 10 (perhaps the Creators Update) won’t require the DVD player app.

We’ve got a few more clarifying questions out to our contacts at SiliconDust. If we receive any more details, we’ll be share to pass them along to you. Let us know how the app is working out for you!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/02/hdhomerun-now-supports-copy-protected-tv-on-xbox-one/feed/4http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/02/02/hdhomerun-now-supports-copy-protected-tv-on-xbox-one/Entertainment 2.0 #395: You Broke Our Mindshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/QdX-CKqj9fs/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/27/entertainment-2-0-395-you-broke-our-minds/#commentsFri, 27 Jan 2017 11:30:47 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21850Ultra HD Blu-ray drives will soon be coming to an HTPC near you! Microsoft is also rolling out the Creators Update previews to Xbox and Windows 10 PCs. There are even some surprise new features.

]]>This week starts off with some surprising news for all of you fans of home theater PCs! It looks like Ultra HD Blu-ray drives for PCs will finally be hitting the marketplace very soon! If you’ve already moved on to using an Xbox One there’s plenty of good news for you too. The first Creators Update build has launched for the console. With it comes new features that we didn’t even know about last week (when we expected this build to be released.) Microsoft has also announced changes to how the Xbox Insider program will work. We’ve also got more details on the gaming updates coming to Windows 10 later this week. There are also two new Xbox bundles launching soon.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/27/entertainment-2-0-395-you-broke-our-minds/feed/0no Ultra HD Blu-ray drives will soon be coming to an HTPC near you! Microsoft is also rolling out the Creators Update previews to Xbox and Windows 10 PCs. There are even some surprise new features. The post Entertainment 2.0 #395: You Broke Our Minds appear Ultra HD Blu-ray drives will soon be coming to an HTPC near you! Microsoft is also rolling out the Creators Update previews to Xbox and Windows 10 PCs. There are even some surprise new features. The post Entertainment 2.0 #395: You Broke Our Minds appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Creators Update, HTPC, Windows 10, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/27/entertainment-2-0-395-you-broke-our-minds/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/xwtfvz/ent20-episode395.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #394: Finger Controllershttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/MZsJQ7QrQv4/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/19/entertainment-2-0-394-finger-controllers/#commentsThu, 19 Jan 2017 11:30:23 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21844The Creators Update is coming, and we’ve got more details on what it will bring. Plus, more bad Windows Phone news, and a Microsoft e-book store.

]]>Josh and Richard are settling back into their normal lives, and their normal podcast schedule. You all are too, so the guys kick the show off with some great feedback and questions from the listeners. In the news, NPR has released their NPR One app for the Xbox One. The Creators Update is coming very soon to Windows 10 and the Xbox One. Microsoft has released details on what we can expect in the first preview update. They’ve also announced two new controllers for controllers. There’s news on the Windows Phone front, but unfortunately, none of it is good news. Also, Microsoft is apparently getting back into the e-book scene.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/19/entertainment-2-0-394-finger-controllers/feed/0no The Creators Update is coming, and we’ve got more details on what it will bring. Plus, more bad Windows Phone news, and a Microsoft e-book store. The post Entertainment 2.0 #394: Finger Controllers appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. The Creators Update is coming, and we’ve got more details on what it will bring. Plus, more bad Windows Phone news, and a Microsoft e-book store. The post Entertainment 2.0 #394: Finger Controllers appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Creators Update, Windows 10, Windows Phone, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/19/entertainment-2-0-394-finger-controllers/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/rasvqs/ent20-episode394.mp3Tablo Announces DROID, LIVE, and CLOUD DVR at CEShttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/073lkjEIFX0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/tablo-announces-droid-live-and-cloud-dvr-at-ces/#commentsWed, 11 Jan 2017 17:56:25 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21833Tablo is making their service available in even more places. With Tablo DROID you can turn an NVIDIA SHIELD into a DVR, and Tablo LIVE makes your antenna wireless.

While at CES this year we caught up with the folks from Tablo. We’ve covered Tablo since first meeting them at CES a few years ago. Their primary product is a headless over-the-air (OTA) DVR. You plug an antenna and a hard drive into their box, and it serves up guide data and the ability to watch and record local channels through the company’s many apps.

This year Tablo is announcing three new products. The first is Tablo DROID. It is a new app that works on Android TV boxes. It should work on many Android TV devices, but initially they are supporting the NVIDIA SHIELD TV. With Tablo DROID you use the Android TV box as the DVR. You don’t need to purchase a separate DVR from Tablo. You will need an OTA tuner though. Tablo will be selling their own, called the Tablo TUNER, or you can use Hauppauge’s WinTV-dual HD USB tuner. The new app, and presumably the tuner, will be available in Q2 of 2017. It will include a free 30-day trial of the Tablo service. Once the trial is over you’ll be able to continue to use the app. You’ll be limited to manual recordings and live TV only if you don’t continue to pay for the service.

Tablo had another hardware device to announce at CES. The new product is called Tablo LIVE. It’s about the size of a typical USB OTA tuner, but it has Wi-Fi inside. You can place this stick wherever your OTA antenna is situated, and then use Tablo’s apps to stream live TV straight from the device. The idea is that often your television isn’t positioned near the optimal antenna location in your home. With Tablo LIVE you can put the antenna and tuner anywhere that you have a decent Wi-Fi connection. You’ll be able to watch the live feed using Tablo’s apps.

Tablo LIVE is a single tuner device. As the name implies, it only provides live TV streaming. You can use it completely independent of Tablo’s DVR services. It will provide 24 hours of guide data, and there won’t be any subscription fees to pay. It should be available in Q2 for $99.

In a slightly more confusing announcement, Tablo also discussed a new proof-of-concept service they are working on called Tablo CLOUD DVR storage. Remember how we just said that the Tablo LIVE doesn’t support recording TV? Well, if Tablo CLOUD DVR makes it to market, it could. The cloud DVR will support recording directly from the Tablo LIVE to the cloud. Then you’d have access to all of your recordings from anywhere by using Tablo’s apps.

If CLOUD DVR launches it will need to compress your recordings as OTA feeds regularly use bitrates as high as 20 Mbps. The service would also, of course, carry with it a monthly subscription fee. None of those details have been announced yet. Look for that later this year.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/tablo-announces-droid-live-and-cloud-dvr-at-ces/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/tablo-announces-droid-live-and-cloud-dvr-at-ces/SmartThings Will Soon Work with Lutron Casétahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/En5JnMEFXh0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/smartthings-will-soon-work-with-lutron-caseta/#commentsWed, 11 Jan 2017 13:00:30 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21825SmartThings users will soon be able to integrate with the Lutron Caséta Wireless bridge, enabling control of Lutron lighting and Serena Shades.

]]>Aligned with CES 2017, Lutron announced a few new integrations, including with SmartThings. This partnership will allow SmartThings users to connect and control Lutron lights and Serena shades from within the SmartThings app. This is a cloud integration, so it’s not that SmartThings is enabling a hidden ClearConnect radio in its existing hubs. Instead, SmartThings users will be able to connect via their Lutron Caséta account to integrate lights and shades connected to their Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge, allowing them to control and integrate them into routines and SmartApps.

Technically, this partnership makes Serena the first official shades controllable from within the SmartThings ecosystem and gives SmartThings users some nicer options for dimmer switches and modules than currently available in most Z-Wave and ZigBee systems.

For Lutron, this will expand their integration partnerships, which also include Nest, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, Logitech Pop and Logitech Home Hub, Wink, Sonos, and more.

Look for this integration early this year, sometime in Q1. Lutron Caséta starter kits are available online and in Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Magnolia stores across the United States.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/smartthings-will-soon-work-with-lutron-caseta/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/11/smartthings-will-soon-work-with-lutron-caseta/Entertainment 2.0 #393: CES 2017http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/WwmvafV7c24/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/09/entertainment-2-0-393-ces-2017/#commentsMon, 09 Jan 2017 20:13:37 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21822Josh and Richard took some time after the CES show floor closed for 2017 to discuss all the big news stories that were announced. SiliconDust, Dish, NVIDIA all had updates. There were also a couple brand new products.

]]>Josh and Richard have been in Las Vegas for the last week to cover CES 2017. It’s been a long crazy week. It’s taken a toll on the guys, and unfortunately you can hear it in their voices. There was a lot of great news to cover this year. The guys sat down with SiliconDust to get an update on the HDHomeRun DVR. There’s a new company looking to build a Windows 10-based home theater PC. Dish is bringing their Dish Anywhere service to the 10-foot experience. They’ve also launched a new set-top box that is optimized for Sling TV. NVIDIA announced a new SHIELD TV. It’s basically the same hardware, but it has lots of exciting software coming. Josh also got to try out Razer’s Project Ariana, and he wasn’t nearly as excited about it as some other members of the press.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/09/entertainment-2-0-393-ces-2017/feed/0no Josh and Richard took some time after the CES show floor closed for 2017 to discuss all the big news stories that were announced. SiliconDust, Dish, NVIDIA all had updates. There were also a couple brand new products. The post Entertainment 2.0 #393: CES Josh and Richard took some time after the CES show floor closed for 2017 to discuss all the big news stories that were announced. SiliconDust, Dish, NVIDIA all had updates. There were also a couple brand new products. The post Entertainment 2.0 #393: CES 2017 appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcastshttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/09/entertainment-2-0-393-ces-2017/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/z6ihfa/ent20-episode393.mp3NVIDIA Announces an Even Smarter SHIELD TVhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/2fMrGem84K8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/nvidia-announces-an-even-smarter-shield-tv/#commentsMon, 09 Jan 2017 00:58:52 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21815NVIDIA has made one of the best streaming set-top boxes even smarter. 4k Amazon video is coming to the new device along with Google Assistant, and even SmartThings!

NVIDIA’S SHIELD TV device surprised us in 2016. No, it didn’t launch in last year, but it gained some abilities that made it quickly rise to the top of the set-top box streaming and gaming segment. Last summer they announced with Plex that you could run a full Plex media server on the SHEILD TV. Shortly thereafter, SiliconDust announced that their HDHomeRun DVR software could also run on the SHIELD TV. At this year’s CES, NVIDIA announced a new version of the device, and it’s gotten better in all the ways we care about.

First let’s start with the aspects of the SHIELD TV that aren’t changing with the new version. Most importantly, the price isn’t changing. You’ll get the base unit which has 16GB of storage, one game controller, and media remote for $199. The new Pro version has 500 GB of storage, and it is also remaining at the $299 price point. The other thing that isn’t changing is the brain of the device. It will continue to be powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1. I guess they figured that since it was still 3x faster than their competitors, and more than powerful enough for 4k video, there wasn’t really any reason to upgrade it.

There are plenty of new things to get excited about with the SHIELD TV. On the video side they’ve finally inked a deal with Amazon. So in addition to Netflix, YouTube, VUDU, and more, you’ll be able to stream Amazon’s library in 4k with HDR.

The SHIELD TV is based on Android TV, and that means it is getting new AI capabilities through Google Assistant. The redesigned game controller (which is far more comfortable than the previous version) has an always-on microphone. With that you can initiate commands like “OK Google…show pictures from my trip to Las Vegas” and they’ll be immediately displayed on the TV. You’ll also be able to voice control your Nest thermostat and cameras.

Adding Google Assistant to the SHIELD TV is a big deal for those looking to make their home smarter, but it doesn’t end there. Later this year you’ll be able turn the SHIELD TV into a SmartThings hub! No, NVIDIA hasn’t added Z-Wave and Zigbee radios to the SHIELD. Instead you’ll need a SmartThings USB stick. That stick isn’t available yet, but we’re very excited to see the functionality coming.

To aid in all that voice-controlled goodness, NVIDIA also announced the SPOT (seriously NVIDIA, please stop using all capital letters for your products). It’s a small microphone that plugs directly into a wall outlet. You’ll be able to place them throughout your entire house for easy access to the Google Assistant. It will cost $49, but they haven’t provided a release date. The NVIDIA representative I spoke with said that I shouldn’t expect it in the first half of 2017.

Most of you current SHIELD TV owners probably think this announcement means you’ll need to purchase a new device. Every software feature that is coming to the new SHIELD TV will also be coming to the current product! That includes Amazon streaming and Google Assistant. The current controllers aren’t always listening though, so you’ll have to hit the voice search button to use Google Assistant. You will be able to pair the new controllers with an existing SHIELD TV though.

The new SHIELD TV will be available January 16th for $199. The SHIELD TV PRO will be available January 30th for $299. We can’t wait to try out all the new features!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/nvidia-announces-an-even-smarter-shield-tv/feed/1http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/nvidia-announces-an-even-smarter-shield-tv/Dish Anywhere…Coming Soon to Any TV Near Youhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/PVrRfd3D2A0/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/dish-anywhere-coming-soon-tv-near/#commentsMon, 09 Jan 2017 00:58:26 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21736Dish's popular Dish Anywhere service, currently available for phones, tablets, and on the Web, may soon be coming to a TV near you—wherever you happen to be located.

Dish Anywhere—Dish’s popular remote content viewing service that lets you watch linear, on-demand, and recorded content remotely—may soon be coming to a TV near you…wherever that happens to be. At CES 2017, Dish was showing off its first 10-foot interface for Dish Anywhere running on a Fire TV box. The demo included access to the full grid guide, your Sling-enabled Hopper DVR contents, and Dish’s available on-demand movies and shows.

The implications here are pretty big. For example, you could use a Fire TV box in your home as an extender to your DVR, perhaps replacing or supplementing some of the capabilities you may have through a Joey. We’re not expecting 4K video through the service anytime soon, but it could work fine for some use cases. Imagine a kitchen TV, for example. It’s a lot easier to plug a Fire TV Stick into the TV than worry about placing or mounting a set top box—even as small as the Joey actually is.

Or maybe you’re traveling. Savvy travelers are known to pack a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. Both products enable “captive portal” Wi-Fi login, allowing you to connect your device through most hotel Wi-Fi systems. For under $40, you’d have easy access to your home TV service and DVR, including anything recorded automatically through Prime Time Anytime. Anywhere in the United States.

Dish doesn’t charge customers for its Dish Anywhere service, so we’re not anticipating that there will be any additional charge for this app or its services once it’s available. We don’t have a specific availability date for the Dish Anywhere app on the Fire TV—or if it will come to other platforms—but we’re anticipating this will be out sometime this year.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/dish-anywhere-coming-soon-tv-near/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/dish-anywhere-coming-soon-tv-near/Razer’s Project Ariana Doesn’t Live Up to the Hypehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/R0xOab9qZho/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/razers-project-ariana-doesnt-live-up-to-the-hype/#commentsSun, 08 Jan 2017 20:59:18 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21799Razer's Project Ariana uses a 4k projector to supplement your TV with the promise to bring even more immersive gaming. Reality just throws too many obstacles in the way.

]]>One of the concepts drawing the most attention at CES in the gaming space is Razer’s Project Ariana. If you remember Microsoft’s Illumiroom you’ll be familiar with what Razer is trying to achieve. The main piece is a 4k projector which will project a larger field of view of the game onto your wall, surrounding your television.

Project Ariana is built with the goal to make your gaming session much more immersive than you get by looking at a single flat display. You’ll see more of what’s going on around the character, and it doesn’t require you to shove your head into a constrained virtual reality headset. The projector uses two 3D cameras to analyze your room. This allows it to accurately display the gigantic image on all the correct surfaces while refraining from blasting light onto your television screen.

I got to check out Project Ariana first hand, and honestly I think it’s over-hyped. Their demo was only projecting onto one wall (the same wall where the TV was mounted), and while they say it can be configured to wrap around to adjacent walls, I wonder why they didn’t actually do that. The display did show more of the game than was visible on the TV, but the effect was just plain weird. Razer was playing Shadow Warrior 2, a first-person action game, in their demo. On the TV, as normal, the player could only see the characters hands and the sword he was carrying. The projector then filled in the rest of the arms, along with the landscape around the character.

I found two problems with Project Ariana. First, the projected image just didn’t look all that great. When you put a projection on the same wall as a bright TV the difference in brightness between the two images is extremely noticeable. The other problem was the size. The arms of the character on screen seemed comically large compared to what was visible on the television.

Of course these gripes hardly even compare to the other more obvious problems with Razer’s Project Ariana. For starters, how many people actually have a gaming environment where their television is mounted nearly flush to a large empty white wall? It’s also PC-only right now. Most PC gamers I know aren’t sitting 10 feet away from a television. They are sitting at a desk. Then there’s the fact that you’re going to need to buy an expensive 4k projector to supplement your expensive television that you already have. Then you’ll need to figure out how to get wires to the projector.

I know what many of you are thinking. You’re screaming at me, because I was excited when Microsoft announced Illumiroom. Now I’m shooting down a potential competitor. The simple fact is, I was never able to experience Illumiroom. At this point I’m confident that if the results from Microsoft’s R&D project were similar to Razer’s, I wouldn’t have liked that either. Razer does have time to attempt to fix some of these issues, as Project Ariana’s projector isn’t expected to hit the market until at least late 2017. Maybe when we come back to Vegas next year for CES we’ll be more impressed with what Razer has to show.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/razers-project-ariana-doesnt-live-up-to-the-hype/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/razers-project-ariana-doesnt-live-up-to-the-hype/Baldwin Incorporating Kevo Technologyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/e0XpI9cDO-k/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/08/baldwin-incorporating-kevo-technology/#commentsSun, 08 Jan 2017 20:59:07 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21794Baldwin has introduced a new line of handlesets and deadbolts incorporating Kevo technology. Available in 21 designs, each in 18 finishes, the Baldwin Evolved line will offer customers premium products for their connected homes.

At CES 2017, Baldwin, maker of high-end hardware and locks, has introduced a new line of handlesets and deadbolts incorporating Kevo technology. The new line, aptly called Evolved, will enable the same connected and touch-to-unlock features of Kwikset’s Kevo line, including app-based control and notifications.

Evolved locks feature a discreet LED indicator, implemented as a thin bar under the key slot instead of the familiar ring of lights on Kevo products. We had a chance to see and experience and Evolved handleset firsthand at CES, and this seems like an ideal match-up of Kevo’s keyless technology with Baldwin’s legacy of high-quality hardware. Tap the rectangular “barrel” with your finger, and the door will lock or unlock with the phone in your pocket or bag. It’s a shame we’re not quite at the state where just putting your hand on the door handle and latch couldn’t also unlock the door (similar to BMW’s keyless entry system), but the verification and mechanical unlocking process just isn’t fast enough to support that yet.

Baldwin will also release a standalone key fob for Evolved locks, similar to those available for Kevo locks. Depending on their needs, though, customers may want to opt for the standard Kevo fob (which will work), as the Baldwin version is quite sturdy, larger, and heavier than Kevo’s alternative.

Evolved products are expected to be available later this year in 18 different handleset styles and 3 different deadbolt styles, each in 18 finishes. Pricing is going to be…well, let’s just say it will be aligned with Baldwin prices. Baldwin is a premium brand, and customers won’t be surprised by premium pricing. The Kevo technology could add as much as $300 to any given handleset or deadbolt in the Evolved series.

]]>We’ve been keeping a close eye on SiliconDust for many years, but even more so since they announced the HDHomeRun DVR. It’s been a few months since we’ve heard much, but they were able to answer many of our questions when we met with them at CES this week.

Everyone wants to know when HDHomeRun DVR is going to be released. Their plan is to launch a release candidate (RC) in Q1 this year. That RC will include over the air (OTA) and unencrypted cable support in the United States, Canada, U.K., New Zealand, most of Western Europe, and Finland. For those of you with copy-protected channels using the HDHomeRun Prime, unfortunately you’re going to need to a wait a little longer. They’ve not forgotten about you, and there’s been a tremendous amount of work in making sure they will be able to support the capability on multiple platforms. They also need to make sure they do it right otherwise they could face massive fines. So expect support for copy-protected cable to come after the official release. The release candidate period is expected to last for two to four weeks.

There’s one last thing to remind those of you who were Kickstarter backers about. As part of your pledge you’re receiving a one-year subscription to the HDHomeRun DVR service. Don’t worry, because your year of service hasn’t even started yet. It won’t start until they’ve officially released the product.

One thing that you may or may not have noticed over the New Year holiday is that SiliconDust changed the guide data provider in many regions. Previously they were using multiple sources for different regions. Over the New Year holiday they completed the transition to put everyone on Gracenote. If you’re seeing any guide data issues, make sure that your tuners are using the latest firmware.

There’s another initiative that SiliconDust would like to make their customers aware of. They recently released a redesigned version of the HDHomeRun Extend. They were able to remove the fan from the device and simply use a better heatsink to keep the temperatures down. If you’ve got a model with a fan in it, you can send it to SiliconDust to have them swap the fan out for the new heatsink.

Lastly, SiliconDust continues to work with other partners. For example we discussed recently that some Samsung TVs were able to natively connect to HDHomeRun tuners. Unfortunately that functionality was disabled shortly after it was released. It turns out the firmware that enabled it was never mean to be released. SiliconDust continues to work with Samsung to get that feature optimized and turned back on. Maybe you’ve purchased an LG TV because you love their WebOS user interface. If so, you’ll be pleased to know that SiliconDust is also in talks with the Korean manufacturer to enable playback on their TVs also.

]]>The Digital Media Zone started many years ago out of a passion for home theater PCs. At the time we gravitated to Windows Media Center, because it provided many of the features we were looking for, and it was built on an operating system we loved. Unfortunately, Windows Media Center is no longer updated, and isn’t available with the latest version of Windows. There’s a new company that looks to be the new home of Windows-based home theater PCs. They are called Homebase, and their product is the Homebase Hub.

The Homebase Hub is a hardware and software offering. The box is built around Intel’s NUC. It comes in two variants (oddly named the Hub White and Hub Blue, despite the fact that they look identical.) The White is based on the latest generation Intel Celeron processor. It has 2 GB of RAM, a 32 GB SSD for fast performance, and 2 TB of storage for media. The Hub Blue has an Intel I5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 128 GB SSD, 2 TB hard drive, and sports Intel Iris Plus 640 graphics.

Both the Hub White and Hub Blue have HDMI 2 ports and support 4k video at 60 frames per second. They also have 802.11AC Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, 7.1 audio, and a plethora of USB ports. The Hub Blue even sports a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port.

If you have fairly light needs, and don’t plan to do any serious gaming, the Homebase Hub White should be powerful enough for your daily task. If you’re into gaming, or just like to ensure you have power to spare, you’ll want to spring for the Hub Blue.

Software and strategic partnerships set the Homebase Hub apart from just building your own Windows 10 home theater PC. The Hub can, and probably should, be paired with an HDHomeRun tuner. With the HDHomeRun app you’ll be able to watch Live TV. For recorded TV they’ve partnered with Plex to use the Plex DVR. Of course you’ll need a Plex Pass subscription to use Plex DVR. That’s where Homebase’s partnerships come in. With the purchase of a Homebase Hub you’ll get a one-year Plex Pass subscription included.

The other major software piece comes in the form of a custom launcher that the team has built. Windows 10′s Start menu doesn’t offer a great experience in the typical living room situation. The Hub’s launcher provides a look and feel similar to iOS. You’ll be presented with a grid of large icons to choose from, and those icons can also be grouped together. To control all of this from the comfort of your couch, they’ve included a remote control. It has your typical navigation and playback buttons. It also sports a keyboard on the back which will make typing in search queries a lot more convenient.

Another one of their partnerships, this one with Tonido, turns the Homebase Hub into your own personal cloud. With that software you’re able to access all of your files from any connected device. You can also automatically sync content from your mobile devices, like your camera roll, straight to the Hub. This will be managed by an app they are creating which will also double as a remote control for the Hub.

The Homebase Hub White will be available in March for $399. The Homebase Hub Blue will be available shortly thereafter for $799. The hardware inside is rock-solid. We’ve often recommend the Intel NUC as the basis of a home theater PC. This product really hinges on the software, and if they can get the remote control to play nicely with all the apps. We’ve had pretty limited success using remotes to control Windows UWP apps. For example, Plex works well but Netflix is pretty miserable. If the problem is simply apps that don’t elegantly support keyboard input, I’m not sure that the Homebase team can even do anything to resolve this issue. Also, while the launcher they’ve designed is usable, we don’t particularly care for the dated iOS design language they’ve used. We’re definitely going to keep an eye on the Homebase Hub, and we’ll keep you all updated.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/06/homebase-hub-the-next-windows-home-theater-pc/feed/4http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/06/homebase-hub-the-next-windows-home-theater-pc/Belkin Unblocks Your Other Outlethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/BI0eVwx7YGw/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/belkin-introduces-redesigned-wemo-plug-dimmer/#commentsWed, 04 Jan 2017 21:17:55 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21727Belkin's new Wemo Mini Smart Plug addresses one of the biggest concerns with their first generation product with an industrial redesign that doesn't cover both wall outlets. And a new touch-sensitive dimmer makes it easy to control any bulb type in your home.

]]>Belkin, maker of the popular Wemo brand connected home products, has announced two new products to their lineup: the Wemo Mini Smart Plug and the Wemo Dimmer Light Switch. Despite the longer device names, the devices themselves are streamlined and vastly improved over prior generations.

The Mini Smart Plug is a fully redesigned plug module, replacing Belkin’s first-generation device most known for monopolizing wall outlets by covering over both outlets even though it only offered one controllable outlet of its own. The new product design aligns more with iDevices’ and iHome’s approaches, spreading out horizontally from the outlet, thus allowing you to use two in one North American standard double wall outlet.

The other new product, the Dimmer Light Switch, addresses two of the biggest problems with the original Light Switch. First, it’s a dimmer, not just a relay limited to on/off control. Second, it works closer to the way you’d expect it to work by looking at it.

Belkin’s original Wemo Light Switch had a counter-intuitive physical design that required you to press the bottom of the switch to turn your lights on and off. The new switch features a touch-sensitive grooved channel in a GFCI/Decora-sized plate. You control the light level by sliding your finger up and down the groove or touching anywhere in the groove.

You do still need to press on the bottom of the switch to turn the connected light on or off. The lighted circle on the switch helps suggest that, but after over a year of design, it’s hard to believe they couldn’t come up with a more intuitive interaction model. An additional long-touch feature on this and the new Smart Plug triggers what essentially amounts to a scene, allowing you to control one or more other Wemo devices in your home.

The new dimmer does include some built-in smarts on its own. A nighttime lighting feature lets you schedule a separate default light level so turning the light on doesn’t unnecessarily awaken you or others in your home. And since different types of bulbs dim at different rates, the dimmer itself can be calibrated for the type of bulbs you’re controlling—CFL, LED, or incandescent (up to 400W total).

The Mini Smart Plug is anticipated in stores before the end of January, coming in just under $35. The dimmer is expected in the first half of the year, though no pricing is announced yet.

Updated 1/11/2017: Corrected information about physical switch operation after learning this switch also has a top fulcrum point like it’s predecessor.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/belkin-introduces-redesigned-wemo-plug-dimmer/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/belkin-introduces-redesigned-wemo-plug-dimmer/Almond Routers to Protect Against Mirai Botnet and Morehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/fpegtH21YsU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/almond-routers-to-protect-against-mirai-botnet-and-more/#commentsWed, 04 Jan 2017 21:14:35 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21764Securifi is launching a new security service that should protect against Mirai-like botnets and DDoS zombies. It will also bring more advanced parental monitoring capabilities. It all comes at cost though.

]]>Securifi, the company behind the Almond 3 (read our review) mesh router, has always had a large focus on keeping home networks secure. Today they’ve announced their first major new security feature for their router products. Given that the Almond 3 is the first mesh Wi-Fi router to incorporate a smart home hub, it only makes sense that the headline feature is designed to protect against threats that are largely directed at smart home devices. This new feature will analyze all of your connected devices to determine if they are vulnerable to attacks like that of the Mirai botnet. You remember that right? It’s the one that took down internet access for most of the eastern US a couple months back. If you have a vulnerable device, the Almond app will notify you and give you the ability to disconnect it from the network with a single tap.

The second feature to be included will monitor outbound traffic on your network. If your Nest thermostat is suddenly connecting to a server in Russia it will notify you of that also. They will support over 20 popular devices, including Amazon Echo, Wink, Smartthings, Hue, and more, when the feature launches. For those with privacy concerns, Securifi states:

Almond 3 will only monitor outbound traffic from these devices and will not decrypt any data packets. Like the post office, we’re reading the addresses on the letters and recording these, without opening or reading the letters.

Similar to the second feature, the Almond will be able to automatically detect if any of your devices have become “zombies” and are participating in a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. Again, if it’s discovered that they are, you’ll be notified via the app.

This update also brings enhanced parental controls. All websites accessed from the network will be logged. Then parents can review the types of sites visited by their children. Securifi points to research that states having a discussion with children about their browsing habits is more effective than simply blocking sites. This feature is completely optional, and it is turned off by default.

Unfortunately, all of this comes with a price. Securifi is offering a 30-day free trial. After that the price will be $3.99/month for a limited time. Eventually the price will rise to $9.99/month. While it will only support the Almond 3 when the service launches January 23, eventually it will be available for the Almond+, Almond 2015 and Almond (A1A).

All of these features sound incredibly powerful, and increasingly useful, as the internet continues to become an even more dangerous place. The price is tough to justify though, especially the final price of $9.99/month. At the very least, it seems as though the parental controls should be available for free. Regardless of the price, it is nice to see a company taking home network security so seriously.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/almond-routers-to-protect-against-mirai-botnet-and-more/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/almond-routers-to-protect-against-mirai-botnet-and-more/Dish Launches AirTV Player for Sling TVhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/wvi_n23JDq4/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/dish-launches-airtv-player-for-sling-tv/#commentsWed, 04 Jan 2017 18:08:30 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21749Dish launches an Android TV-based set-top box as the optimal way to watch Sling TV and OTA content. With a fully integrated guide it could be a cord-cutter's dream.

]]>Recently our friend Dave Zatz, of Zatz Not Funny, found a product page for an unannounced streaming set-top box from Dish. While nothing is certain until a product is officially announced, it looks like Zatz nailed it regarding the AirTV Player from Dish.

The AirTV Player is a small Android TV box that is meant to pair perfectly with Dish’s Sling TV service. Sling TV is an online TV provider that offers many popular paid channels (including CNN, ESPN, AMC, and many more) in bundles that start under $20 per month. While apps exist for the Xbox One, Roku, and other devices, Dish says that the AirTV Player is optimized for Sling TV.

While Sling TV is a nice option for getting access to a plethora of paid channels, getting the four major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) can be a difficult situation. Between the service’s bundle offerings, and complicated licensing agreements with local affiliates, you might not be able to watch all of the major networks using Sling TV alone. That’s where an over-the-air (OTA) antenna comes in. If you live close enough to your local TV towers you can use an antenna to pull in the major networks for free. However, most devices don’t support Sling TV and OTA on the same box.

One of the best features of the AirTV Player is that with an extra AirTV Adapter you can connect an OTA antenna directly to the device. The only other device that supports a similar arrangement that comes to mind is the Xbox One. What sets the AirTV Player apart though is that it integrates the Sling TV guide data with the listings for the channels you’ll pick up from an antenna. Not having to switch apps to flip from a college football game on ESPN, to one on your local ABC affiliate, will be a welcome improvement.

The AirTV Player is an Android TV device, so that means there is a wealth of other apps that can be installed on it too. It comes pre-installed with Netflix and YouTube, but you should be able to install just about anything from the Google Play store on the AirTV Player. If you’ve got a 4k TV you can also use it to stream content in 4k. While not mentioned, it should also support Google Cast. It does come with a basic remote that should also control your television’s power and volume. The remote also has an integrated microphone to support searching for content with your voice.

There are a few questions we need to get answered. Primarily, is there anyway to record OTA content. Our guess is that it doesn’t support that right now. We’d also like to know the HDMI specs, and whether it supports high dynamic range (HDR) video.

Dish’s AirTV Player is available today. You can grab one for $99. If you’d like the AirTV Adapter included, that takes the price to $129. Once the CES show floor opens on Thursday we’ll get our hands-on with the device and try to get our remaining questions answered.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/dish-launches-airtv-player-for-sling-tv/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/dish-launches-airtv-player-for-sling-tv/Sengled Solves the Connected Bulb Dimmer Problemhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/2z_X0SFouW8/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/sengled-solves-the-connected-bulb-dimmer-problem/#commentsWed, 04 Jan 2017 07:51:45 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21743Sengled introduces two new connected bulbs: one is the least expensive connected bulb available, and the other one works with your existing dimmer switches. And just for good measure, they're both carbon neutral, counterbalanced by Sengled's tree-planting program.

Sengled, a brand best known for the combination connected bulb/Bluetooth speaker device that’s often now found in home improvement store bargain bins, has introduced two new connected bulbs that should elevate Sengled from the novelty product classification. Sengled debuted both bulbs at this year’s CES Unveiled, the opening event at CES for media.

The first bulb, the Element, is a warm white (2700K) bulb with the lowest price for a hub-controlled connected bulb, coming in at $9.99. It looks like a traditional LED bulb with a frosted white globe.

The second bulb, the Element Plus, is the real gem, though. This adds color tuning between 2700K and 6500K for a full range of warm to cool white light. This bulb has a more pair-shaped form factor, though, and it features a clear globe around exposed diodes. It costs $17.99 per bulb or $59.99 for a starter kit with a hub.

Unlike any other bulb we’ve encountered, the Sengled Plus will work with traditional dimmer switches, allowing you to dim the light while still maintaining full connected feature control. This is a much bigger deal that it might sound at first. Other connected bulbs are simply incompatible with wall dimmers and start to flake out, flash, or, at the very least, become unresponsive to app control when controlled by the dimmer switch on the wall. The Element Plus not only adjusts to the incoming line voltage and dims accordingly, but it can also still be remotely controlled like any other smart bulb, even when dimmed down to as low as 10% from the wall. So you can dim it manually or remotely, depending on your needs or preferences.

Both bulbs can be controlled through Sengled’s own app, which enables control, scheduling, energy monitoring, and more. Unlike other Sengled products, these are ZigBee based, allowing them to also work with third-party systems like iControl, AT&T Digital Life, Comcast Xfinity Home, and others. The Element Plus is available today at Sengled.com’s web site for $17.99 (also coming soon to Amazon), and the $9.99 Element is expected to be out early this year. As an added bonus that almost seems a bit like overachieving, Sengled will plant a tree for every bulb sold, ultimately reducing more carbon than the bulb itself claims to account for in its lifetime.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/sengled-solves-the-connected-bulb-dimmer-problem/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/sengled-solves-the-connected-bulb-dimmer-problem/CES Day 0: Home Media Round-Uphttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/5Fs0fCt5DVo/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/ces-day-0-home-media-round-up/#commentsWed, 04 Jan 2017 07:35:43 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21740The unofficial start of CES didn't offer a great quantity of home media products to check out. Would they make up for it with quality?

]]>The unofficial start to CES is an event called CES Unveiled. It happens one day prior to the big press announcement day, and two days prior to the actual show floor opening. It’s essentially a mini version of the CES show floor with exhibitors from all across the consumer technology space. We hit the floor running trying to find the most interesting home media products to cover. The pickings were slim, but we did stumble across two new companies trying to burst onto the scene.

Link from Fasetto

One of the first products to catch our eye was called Link from Fasetto. At first it looked like a tiny portable hard drive that had the ability to stream your media to your devices over its own Wi-Fi hotspot. The company’s ambitions for Link are much greater than that though. The tiny box (2″ x 2″ x 1″) has swappable bases. You can add extra battery packs or even add a module with an LTE card. This allows the Link to become an LTE hotspot in addition to making your media available to your portable devices. When we asked what platforms they would support for media playback, they responded with “all of them.”

The general idea is that the Link gives you a personal cloud that is completely mobile. Take it with you anywhere, because it’s also rugged, and always have access to all of your media. The feature that Fasetto was most excited to talk about was the storage. They’ve partnered with Samsung to provide one of the fastest solid state storage drives on the market. They even quote the specs of the drive on their website. Unfortunately, that crazy fast SSD is the biggest problem with the Link. That drive, along with the octa-core processor, result in a device that costs way more than you would expect to pay.

The Link starts out with only 256 GB of SSD storage, and it is priced at $349! The 500 GB model will set you back $500, and the 2 TB model goes for a blistering $1,149! At those prices, we unfortunately think this product is dead on arrival. It seems like they got overly excited about a partnership with a tech giant, and the ability to use some of the fastest storage available, and forgot to focus on making a product that consumers can afford.

Monument

The other interesting home media company we spoke with was Monument. What they make is essentially a small network-attached storage device built specifically for storing the photos and videos you take with your smartphone. Then they use artificial intelligence to analyze and tag those photos. They have smartphone apps that will automatically back up your photos as soon as your phone connects to your home Wi-Fi. Being able to see all of your photos automatically categorized by person, place, and activity is very nice. It also seems very simple to set up and use. The price isn’t too bad either. For $150 you get a box that will hold two USB hard drives, has built-in WiFi and gigabit Ethernet, and supports five users. For $129 it drops the Ethernet port and only supports one user.

The Monument is a product with a great idea. The problem is that it’s an idea that’s already been done by so many other companies. Microsoft and Google already provide this type of artificial intelligence, and storage, in their cloud storage offerings. If you don’t like using the public cloud, Plex also offers essentially the same features. However, if you’re looking for a dedicated appliance that makes photo management drop-dead simple, it’s hard to go wrong with the Momentum.

CES Unveiled is usually a great indicator of what to expect from the larger show. If that trend continues this year, you should expect to see a glut of home automation and connected/smart devices. Fortunately, we still think there will be plenty of home media consumption technology to cover this year. We should be able to find more home media products that we can be excited about all across the show floor. As always, keep an eye on the DMZ to follow all of our CES 2017 coverage.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/ces-day-0-home-media-round-up/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/04/ces-day-0-home-media-round-up/Home: On #083 – CES Eve, with Ry Cristhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/wEXl51voxoU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/03/home-on-083/#commentsTue, 03 Jan 2017 09:33:10 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21728CNET’s Ry Crist joins Richard just before the start of CES to reminisce about last year’s highlights and post-show reality and to speculate about what they'll see this year at this massive event. They're both betting on more smart refrigerators, and Richard's pretty confident he won’t like them.

CNET’s Ry Crist joins Richard just before the start of CES to reminisce about last year’s highlights and post-show reality and to speculate about what they’ll see this year at this massive event. They’re both betting on more smart refrigerators, and Richard’s pretty confident he won’t like them.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

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]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/03/home-on-083/feed/0no CNET’s Ry Crist joins Richard just before the start of CES to reminisce about last year’s highlights and post-show reality and to speculate about what they'll see this year at this massive event. They're both betting on more smart refrigerators, and Rich CNET’s Ry Crist joins Richard just before the start of CES to reminisce about last year’s highlights and post-show reality and to speculate about what they'll see this year at this massive event. They're both betting on more smart refrigerators, and Richard's pretty confident he won’t like them. The post Home: On #083 &#8211; CES Eve, with Ry Crist appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. CES 2017, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Almond 3, Amazon Echo, CES, Cnet, smart refrigeratorhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2017/01/03/home-on-083/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep083.mp3Entertainment 2.0 #392: Hipster Touchhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/Tx9Cg8zk9no/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/22/entertainment-2-0-392-hipster-touch/#commentsThu, 22 Dec 2016 11:30:09 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21722The Xbox gets 4k and HDR from VUDU, almost gets it from Amazon, and also receives bitstreaming with Atmos. Plex drops Amazon. Your Groove expands to iOS and Android, and we prepare for the biggest Xbox sale ever.

Josh is back from his week off, but this time Richard is gone. Fortunately we have James Montemagno back again to help discuss the surprisingly busy week in Microsoft entertainment technology. First up, Amazon released, and then removed, a new app for the Xbox One that supports 4k and HDR. VUDU has also updated their Xbox app for 4k and HDR. Plex has decided to pull support of Amazon’s Cloud Drive in Plex Cloud. A Groove update for iOS and Android has brought with it one of the services best new features. Xbox preview members can now properly bitstream audio out of their consoles, and that means support for Dolby Atmos has arrived. This week also sees the start of the biggest Xbox sale ever. And in some late breaking news, Sling TV may have accidently outed a new set-top box.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/22/entertainment-2-0-392-hipster-touch/feed/0no The Xbox gets 4k and HDR from VUDU, almost gets it from Amazon, and also receives bitstreaming with Atmos. Plex drops Amazon. Your Groove expands to iOS and Android, and we prepare for the biggest Xbox sale ever. The post Entertainment 2.0 #392: Hipster The Xbox gets 4k and HDR from VUDU, almost gets it from Amazon, and also receives bitstreaming with Atmos. Plex drops Amazon. Your Groove expands to iOS and Android, and we prepare for the biggest Xbox sale ever. The post Entertainment 2.0 #392: Hipster Touch appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, 4K, Amazon, Deals, Plex, vudu, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/22/entertainment-2-0-392-hipster-touch/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/g7nknc/ent20-episode392.mp3Home: On #082 – Fireside ’16, from Technology.FMhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/QnisluhrP4I/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/20/home-on-082/#commentsTue, 20 Dec 2016 10:00:54 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21719It's year two of the Technology.FM end-of-year fireside chat. Richard joins Mike Wolf, Jason Griffing, and Seth Johnson to review the year's top connected home stories and look ahead at what they think 2017 has in store. But first, how did they do with last year's prediction? Not too bad, actually!

It’s year two of the Technology.FM end-of-year fireside chat. Richard joins Mike Wolf, Jason Griffing, and Seth Johnson to review the top connected home stories of 2016 and look ahead at what they think 2017 has in store. But first, how did they do with last year’s prediction? Not too bad, actually!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/20/home-on-082/feed/0no It's year two of the Technology.FM end-of-year fireside chat. Richard joins Mike Wolf, Jason Griffing, and Seth Johnson to review the year's top connected home stories and look ahead at what they think 2017 has in store. But first, how did they do with l It's year two of the Technology.FM end-of-year fireside chat. Richard joins Mike Wolf, Jason Griffing, and Seth Johnson to review the year's top connected home stories and look ahead at what they think 2017 has in store. But first, how did they do with last year's prediction? Not too bad, actually! The post Home: On #082 &#8211; Fireside &#8217;16, from Technology.FM appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, Cortana, Google Home, HomeKit, smarthomehttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/20/home-on-082/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep082.mp3Fibaro Announces HomeKit Sensorshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/zCk0mumOdXw/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/16/fibaro-introduces-homekit-sensors/#commentsFri, 16 Dec 2016 15:40:57 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21685Poland-based smart home company Fibaro has announced it will soon be offering HomeKit-compatible versions of its popular sensor products, currently available for Z-Wave.

Poland-based smart home company Fibaro has announced it will soon offer HomeKit-compatible versions of its popular sensor products, currently available for Z-Wave. Fibaro is a company that has caught the attention of smart home owners over the past few years for beautifully designed Z-Wave products. There’s a legacy of chunky, dated industrial design for Z-Wave devices, and Fibaro’s products have been a welcome challenge to that tradition.

Fibaro has announced that it is bringing three of its most popular sensors to the the HomeKit world: its flood sensor; its award-winning motion sensor; and its small, designed-to-match door/window sensors. Each will use Bluetooth LE to connect and communicate in your HomeKit-enabled home.

The Fibaro Flood Sensor sits on flat or uneven surfaces to detect water with an audible alarm and a trigger that HomeKit can use to notify you or enable another scene or device like, say, turning on a camera. The device also senses temperature and tampering, and it’s designed to float—so significant flooding won’t drown out the alarm (or communication to the rest of your home).

Fibaro’s Motion Sensor is the prize in this collection of products. This multi-sensor detects motion, temperature, ambient light, and tampering, and it features a programmable, multi-colored light to signal operations. We’ve used and tested this device in its Z-Wave form, and this is a favorite of ours. The sensor is round, slightly larger than a ping-pong ball, and houses an internal indicator light that we’ve affectionately referred to as the Eye of Sauron. The onboard LED alone might scare off would-be intruders!

Rounding out the new offerings is Fibaro’s lineup of Door/Window Sensors. These dual-contact sensors are very small compared to most products in this category. And they contain a built-in temperature sensor. Perhaps more importantly, though, they’re available in multiple colors to match the decor of your door or window frames.

Where Fibaro excels in hardware design, the software suffers. The Fibaro for HomeKit Connected Devices UI is confusing and disorganized—it feels as if it was designed by a team that has never used HomeKit before. A seemingly non-configurable Dashboard view lists all your HomeKit devices in no apparent order, using fixed icons that may or may not represent their actual function and listing them by device type instead of by your assigned names. A Rooms view organizes your devices better, with rooms represented by a selection of ornate illustrations, but devices are still listed by product name rather than by device name.

Device control screens are also poorly designed, listing numerous functions and settings without context. For example, the settings for an Ecobee3 thermostat are represented by a series of sliders, including a slider for the Target Heating Cooling State (with values from 0 to 3) and Temperature Display Units (with values from 0 to 1). Similar problems exist for shade controls. Seemingly, Fibaro failed to test its app with third-party devices in various device categories and to create the appropriate layout scaffolding for those devices.

The good news is that there are plenty of HomeKit apps out there now that are fairly good, including Apple’s own Home app and many more from other third-party vendors.

Fibaro’s new HomeKit sensors are expected in the US by the end of 2016 and in other countries where HomeKit is enabled in the future. The US prices for the sensors are in line with their Z-Wave equivalents. The flood sensor will be $69.99, the motion sensor will be $69.99, and the door/window sensor will be $59.99. These prices may seem high, but we expect we’ll soon see better pricing on Amazon and at other retailers, as we have with their Z-Wave equivalents.

Listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard this week as Plex dominates our video news. Plexivus and some more traditional holidays are upon us, and that brings great deals…from Plex, from PlayOn, and from Microsoft! You can now use Spotify to control your Sonos Speakers, and next year expect to see (and hear) Cortana in speakers and other devices around your home. New media file management options hit Windows and Xbox, and somehow James manages to sneak in some entirely unrelated talk about Super Mario Bros.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/15/entertainment-2-0-391-spotty-fox/feed/0no Listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard this week as Plex dominates our video news. Plexivus and some more traditional holidays bring great deals. Spotify now controls your Sonos Speakers, and next year expect to find Cortana in speakers and oth Listener favorite James Montemagno joins Richard this week as Plex dominates our video news. Plexivus and some more traditional holidays bring great deals. Spotify now controls your Sonos Speakers, and next year expect to find Cortana in speakers and other devices around your home. New media file management options hit Windows and Xbox, and somehow James manages to talk about Super Mario Bros. The post Entertainment 2.0 #391: Spotty FOX appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Cortana, Deals, Dropbox, photos, PlayOn, Plex, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/15/entertainment-2-0-391-spotty-fox/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/h7jn4a/ent20-episode391.mp3Plex Offering Deals and Gifts for Plexivushttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/sYiZkR_pWsQ/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/12/plex-offering-deals-and-gifts-for-plexivus/#commentsTue, 13 Dec 2016 00:37:36 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21677Plex is getting into the holiday spirit and you're getting the gifts! Check out Plexivus for the rest of us!

]]>The folks over at Plex apparently really love this time of year! They’ve gone so far as to create their own holiday: Plexivus! That’s right, it’s Plexivus for the rest of us! You’re probably wondering what that even means. For the full back story you can check out their crazy post, but the short answer is: good stuff for you!

Plexivus is a twelve day celebration that starts today. Every day has a new event with interesting prizes. Today’s contest gives you the opportunity to win a lifetime Plex Pass subscription plus an NVIDIA SHIELD. To be entered to win you’ll need to post a comment over at their Facebook page telling them how massive your photo collection is. They are obviously very excited about their latest enhancements to the photo library functionality within Plex.

Plexivus isn’t just about exciting contests though, they are also offering savings on Plex Pass subscriptions for everyone. Right now you can snag a lifetime subscription for 20% off. That brings the price down to $119.99. With the Plex Pass subscription you’ll gain many extra features including DVR functionality, the ability to download videos for offline playback, user accounts that allow parental controls, advanced music features, and access to the latest cool features before anyone else can get their hands on them.

So head on over to the Plexivus site every day for the next twelve days. New events start at 9am PT.

Unfortunately some last minute travel meant that Richard couldn’t record this week, but Josh is here with a full slate of the week’s Microsoft entertainment technology news. It looks as though Windows 10 and the Xbox will soon be able to buy and rent 4k Ultra HD movies from the Movies and TV app. Plex has a ton of news this week. They’ve made their desktop app, Plex Media Player, available for free to everyone, and they’ve released a plugin for Kodi. They’ve also added OneDrive (and a couple others) as storage solutions for Plex Cloud. One of our favorite features from Xbox Music on the Xbox One has finally returned in Groove Music. Josh gives you tips on scoring a free Kinect adapter for your Xbox One S. The Microsoft Store has some nice holiday deals, and Microsoft Rewards has a great discount on Windows and Xbox Store gift cards.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/09/entertainment-2-0-390-xbox-gets-its-video-groove-back/feed/0no Movies and TV may soon get 4k UHD movies. Plex’s desktop app goes free and brings OneDrive to Plex Cloud. Groove gets videos, and there are more deals to be had from Microsoft. The post Entertainment 2.0 #390: Xbox Gets Its Video Groove Back appeared fir Movies and TV may soon get 4k UHD movies. Plex’s desktop app goes free and brings OneDrive to Plex Cloud. Groove gets videos, and there are more deals to be had from Microsoft. The post Entertainment 2.0 #390: Xbox Gets Its Video Groove Back appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Deals, Groove, Plex, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/09/entertainment-2-0-390-xbox-gets-its-video-groove-back/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/txw5qz/ent20-episode390.mp3Home: On #081 – More T’s, with Dave Evanshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/fkOP3pXat-o/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/08/home-on-081/#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 11:00:08 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21668Insteon and others add scene control to your Amazon Echo, CNET gives the Wink Hub 2 one thumb up and two thumbs down, and we finally get more T’s...but not from IFTTT. Stringify co-founder and CTO Dave Evans joins us to talk about their powerful services integration platform that could take your smart home to the next level.

Insteon and others add scene control to your Amazon Echo, CNET gives the Wink Hub 2 one thumb up and two thumbs down, and we finally get more T’s…but not from IFTTT. Stringify co-founder and CTO Dave Evans joins us to talk about their powerful services integration platform that could take your smart home to the next level.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

Featured Products

If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/08/home-on-081/feed/1no Insteon and others add scene control to your Amazon Echo, CNET gives the Wink Hub 2 one thumb up and two thumbs down, and we finally get more T’s...but not from IFTTT. Stringify co-founder and CTO Dave Evans joins us to talk about their powerful services Insteon and others add scene control to your Amazon Echo, CNET gives the Wink Hub 2 one thumb up and two thumbs down, and we finally get more T’s...but not from IFTTT. Stringify co-founder and CTO Dave Evans joins us to talk about their powerful services integration platform that could take your smart home to the next level. The post Home: On #081 &#8211; More T&#8217;s, with Dave Evans appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Amazon Echo, connected locks, Ecobee, IFTTT, Indigo, Stringify, Winkhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/08/home-on-081/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep081.mp3mpconverter Looks to Ease the Transition from Windows Media Centerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/dijbhal8N7o/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/mpconverter-looks-to-ease-the-transition-from-windows-media-center/#commentsThu, 01 Dec 2016 14:00:43 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21663mpconverter is a new tool that can automatically convert your Windows Media Center recordings and gather metadata for use in Kodi and Plex even if your shows aren't listed in popular online databases.

]]>We’ve been huge fans of Windows Media Center for longer than this site has even existed, but it’s been more than seven years since Microsoft has updated it in any meaningful way. It was still possible to use Media Center in Windows 8 and 8.1, but when Windows 10 was released Microsoft stopped offering the home theater PC application. Long before then many users had already started to migrate away from Media Center. Some have moved on to Kodi, some chose Plex, while others decided to abandon the HTPC altogether. If you’re considering making a jump to Kodi or Plex there’s a new tool that could help make that move a little easier. It’s called mpconverter.

mpconverter is a tool that has been created to make importing Windows Media Center recordings into Kodi and Plex a painless process. For some shows, like your typical prime time dramas, you could simply rename your recorded files and place them in a folder structure that is supported by Plex. But that doesn’t work for everything. One key example is sports. You see, Plex and Kodi both use TheTVDB to get metadata about shows. If you recorded a soccer match there isn’t going to be a listing for it on TheTVDB.

mpconverter takes a different approach to migrating recordings. Instead of looking at an online database for metadata it simply looks at the WTV file that was created by Windows Media Center. It’s a solution that seems so simple! Of course Windows Media Center knew what it was recording, so why not take the metadata that’s already stored with the recording when moving it over to Kodi or Plex?

Metadata migration isn’t the only thing that mpconverter does. It will also transcode the recordings. It can use either FFMPEG or Handbrake to do the conversion, and the mpconverter developer has already done the hard work of creating transcode profiles that will result in high quality video files.

If you’re like us, you probably have quite a large library of recorded shows. Fortunately, mpconverter also has tools to automatically process all of the files in your recorded TV library. Whenever a new show is recorded the tool will detect it and perform all its magic.

mpconverter has a lot more features than we’ve been able to cover in this short post. It’s a tool that can be configured to make a transition from Windows Media Center pretty painless with just a little bit of setup work on your part. Did we mention it’s free? At that price you’ve got nothing to lose! Check it out and let us know how you like it. And if you have any feedback for the developer make sure to leave a comment on his blog!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/mpconverter-looks-to-ease-the-transition-from-windows-media-center/feed/1http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/mpconverter-looks-to-ease-the-transition-from-windows-media-center/Entertainment 2.0 #389: Forever*http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/R34Eth_JUzU/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/entertainment-2-0-389-forever/#commentsThu, 01 Dec 2016 11:30:05 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21661There’s a new tool for transitioning from WMC to Kodi or Plex. Edge grabs 4k Netflix. Get an extended trial of Groove Music. Play Xbox One games with Oculus Rift, and more.

The guys are back after a wonderful week off to celebrate Thanksgiving. The first news story actually comes from a listener. He’s developed an app called mpconverter to help ease the transition from Windows Media Center to Kodi or Plex. Microsoft’s Edge browser is the first to support Netflix in 4k. Microsoft is running a promotion that could net you four free months of Groove Music. Windows 10 PCs will soon be able to stream Xbox One games straight to an Oculus Rift VR headset. It’s probably not what you’re thinking though. One small company is trying to sell a low-end Windows 10 Mobile phone in a unique way. Plex has some cool new photo features, and AT&T has launched their DirecTV Now streaming service.

Join us most weeks for the live recording of Entertainment 2.0 on Tuesday evenings at 8:30pm ET!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/entertainment-2-0-389-forever/feed/0no There’s a new tool for transitioning from WMC to Kodi or Plex. Edge grabs 4k Netflix. Get an extended trial of Groove Music. Play Xbox One games with Oculus Rift, and more. The post Entertainment 2.0 #389: Forever* appeared first on The Digital Media Zon There’s a new tool for transitioning from WMC to Kodi or Plex. Edge grabs 4k Netflix. Get an extended trial of Groove Music. Play Xbox One games with Oculus Rift, and more. The post Entertainment 2.0 #389: Forever* appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Entertainment 2.0, Podcasts, Deals, Groove, Netflix, Plex, Xboxhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/12/01/entertainment-2-0-389-forever/https://thedmz.podbean.com/mf/web/nxxe3t/ent20-episode389.mp3Record Online Video Without a Computer Using PlayOn Cloudhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/vYJlHc9xDUc/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/30/record-online-video-without-a-computer-using-playon-cloud/#commentsWed, 30 Nov 2016 21:49:21 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21646With the arrival of PlayOn Cloud you can now record videos from dozens of online sources, store them in the cloud, and download them to your mobile devices for offline viewing.

]]>MediaMall, the company behind the various PlayOn products, has been producing innovative ways to access online media for years. We first took note of them when they released PlayOn as a media server that would distribute online streaming services to other devices on your network using DLNA. Then they expanded their product lineup with a service called PlayOn Plus. It allows users to download online video for offline playback. You could even use it like a DVR to record new episodes of shows as they appear on services like Hulu. They are back with another step forward: PlayOn Cloud.

PlayOn Cloud expands on the idea of PlayOn Plus, but removes the requirement of having an always-on computer. You can still use it to schedule recordings of your favorite online movies and television shows, but instead of being stored on your computer they are stored in PlayOn’s cloud.

Currently PlayOn Cloud is an iOS app that runs on iPhones, iPads, and IPod Touch devices. They have plans to release an Android version soon. The app itself is free, but you have to pay for each recording. Doing so is as simple as $0.99 in-app purchase.

You can schedule shows you like to automatically be recorded as they become available. Once you’ve recorded something it can be easily downloaded to your device for offline playback. So if you have a long flight coming up you can easily record a few TV shows and sync them to your iPad ahead of time.

While this functionality sounds an awful lot like today’s Netflix announcement, the major difference is that PlayOn supports dozens of video sources including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and HBO. If you want to try it out for yourself, head on over to the App Store and install it. We’d love to hear how it works out for you!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/30/record-online-video-without-a-computer-using-playon-cloud/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/30/record-online-video-without-a-computer-using-playon-cloud/Now You Can Watch Netflix Offline on iOS, Androidhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/pdL9sTdcbJI/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/30/netflix-adds-offline-viewing-for-ios-android/#commentsWed, 30 Nov 2016 15:14:16 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21636It's been a long time coming, but Netflix has finally added offline viewing of movies, shows, and originals to its iOS and Android app.

There’s been lots of debate about whether it would actually happen or not, but Netflix has officially added offline viewing capabilities to its apps for iOS and Android. Not all of the content is available for download (likely limited by licensing rights), but of the movies, shows, and originals we poked through, most could be downloaded.

The download process is straightforward: Look for a new Download icon in the banner for movies or next to each episode in the newly redesigned episodes list. Tap the icon and the download begins. You do not need to keep the app open to complete the download, and you can even watch other content while the download completes. Your downloaded episodes appear in a new My Downloads section near the top of the slide-in menu, available for you to access in airplane mode or offline.

Customers have been asking to use Netflix offline for years now, and it’s nice to see that the company has obliged. Just remember that not all of the content you can download may be appropriate viewing on an airplane! Now if only we could get Netflix and Apple to play nice for that new TV app….

Indigo Domotics, maker of the powerful, Mac-based Indigo home control software, has released a major update to the Indigo product. Version 7.0 is now available, adding major Z-Wave improvements as well as other updates for users and developers alike. In addition to supporting over 60 new Z-Wave devices, Indigo 7.0 also now fully supports Z-Wave encryption, allowing the platform to now support Z-Wave locks. The update also supports the newest Insteon devices, including the recently-released Insteon Siren Module. [Note, however, that Indigo’s Insteon integration requires a PowerLinc Modem or Adapter and does not work with the newer Insteon Hubs]. Indigo still has a robust plug-in ecosystem, and this update brings new and enhanced plug-ins to the product, including support for Hue, LIFX, and more.

Like past major updates to Indigo, this is a paid upgrade for all Indigo users, ranging anywhere from around $90 to $220, depending on which version you’re currently running. New users can expect to pay just under $250 for the product. Unlike past releases, Indigo 7 consolidates all features into one product, eliminating the separation between Pro and Lite versions. With this move, Indigo is clearly targeting the hardcore DIY crowd (which is likely who would be buying home control software to run on an always-on computer anyway).

Indigo remains one of the most powerful platforms available for a home-spun home control system. If you’re a Mac user or have an older Mac lying around, this is an ideal solution; and it’s one of the DIY products available that lets you easily tie together Insteon, X10, and Z-Wave devices into one interoperable system.

Like HomeSeer and other DIY controllers, though, this product is starting to show its age. The decade-old interface and design approach looks heavy and dated, particularly compared to modern Mac software. While this product’s primary user is likely a techy person anyway, we hope Indigo Domotics invests in UX resources and noticeable UX improvements in a future release.

If you’re interested in trying Indigo, you can get a 30-day free trial to see if it meets your home control needs.

]]>Black Friday has come and gone. Cyber Monday is almost over. Next up is #GivingTuesday. If you’ve not heard of #GivingTuesday, it is the unofficial start to the holiday charitable giving season. For the second year in a row, Plex is offering a promotion in support of #GivingTuesday.

Plex has taken the home theater PC market by storm over the last few years. It’s media library and playback application has come to almost every conceivable platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Xbox, Roku, and more! We’ve become huge fans of the service, and we’ve even been checking out their latest features such as DVR capabilities and advanced photo collection management.

If you purchase a Plex Pass, or one of the Plex apps, between now and 11:59 PM PT on Tuesday November 29th, the company will donate 50% of the payment to Plan International USA. They are a 4-star rated charity that works to enable children around the world to realize their full potential.

If you’ve been on the fence about signing up for a Plex Pass, there has never been a better time to purchase. If you’re already a Plex Pass subscriber, then consider giving a gift subscription to someone else.

Whether you are buying for yourself or someone else, please head over to the Plex Pass site and give today.

]]>We recently reviewed, and loved, the Almond 3 from Securifi. It’s a mesh Wi-Fi networking router that also includes home automation and control. It provides rock solid wireless networking performance, especially when you place a few of them around your home. It also has ZigBee built in, and can be expanded with a low cost Z-Wave USB adapter to greatly expand the home control capabilities.

The Almond 3 router can be purchased in a three pack or a single unit. The three pack has always offered the most savings. The Almond 3 has also been one of the lowest priced options available in the mesh networking space. Today you can get in on the action for even less money. They are offering the Almond 3 three pack for $299 as their Cyber Monday promotion. That’s the same price they offered to customers who pre-ordered the device. Also, the Almond 3 is eligible for Amazon Prime, so you won’t have to pay for shipping either. Hurry though, it won’t last long!

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/almond-3-available-for-100-off/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/almond-3-available-for-100-off/Plex Adds Photo Library Improvementshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/YHwgOOorhKY/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/plex-introduces-photo-library-improvements/#commentsMon, 28 Nov 2016 14:00:48 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21585Usually when we're discussing Plex, it's in the context of managing video content. But Plex is also great for accessing your other media, including photos. The latest update to Plex includes some significant improvements to photo libraries, including automatic keyword tagging.

Usually when we’re discussing Plex, it’s in the context of managing video content. But Plex is also great for accessing your other media, too, including music and photos. The latest update to Plex, version 1.3.0.3059, includes some significant improvements to photo libraries. First, the updated web app gets a much-improved photo viewing experience, including full integration of your home videos, which used to be relegated to a separate library. The photo import process has also been improved, now 3 times faster than in prior releases.

The real magic, though, is held for Plex Pass subscribers. Plex Pass now unlocks advanced automatic photo tagging. Based on a trusted, third-party machine learning analysis, Plex can apply keyword tags to your photos based on what’s in the images. If you’ve ever tried to find a photo you’ve taken amongst likely thousands of other digital images, you’ll appreciate the convenience this affords. And your original photographs are not altered in any way—the tags exist in your Plex library. To enable automatic tagging, edit your photo library settings, and choose Automatically tag my photos in the Options tab.

Plex Pass subscribers also have the ability to automatically upload photographs taken on their Android, iOS, Windows and Windows Phone devices, allowing for centralized local storage of photos taken on nearly all devices in your household. And of course all Plex users can search on tags through Plex’s iOS, Android, and web apps.

Plex’s announcement of these features hints at additional improvements to come. We hope this includes improved 10-foot photo browsing on streaming devices and TVs.

Note to DVR beta users: If you’re using a beta version of Plex to try out its new DVR capabilities, you should not update to new versions of Plex as they’re released. Doing so will remove all DVR features. DVR users will need to wait until the DVR features are rolled into the main product before they can take advantage of these and other enhancements and fixes in Plex.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/plex-introduces-photo-library-improvements/feed/0http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/plex-introduces-photo-library-improvements/Home: On #080 – Building Ecosystems, with Doug Evanshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/jHymTZvVR6g/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/home-on-080/#commentsMon, 28 Nov 2016 10:30:43 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21607We’re bringing you Richard’s interview with Juicero founder Doug Evans from the Smart Kitchen Summit. But first, Josh Pollard joins us to run through some updates from the news, including our review of Securifi’s Almond 3 router, now shipping and available for purchase.

We’re bringing you Richard’s interview with Juicero founder Doug Evans from the Smart Kitchen Summit. But first, Josh Pollard joins us to run through some updates from the news, including our review of Securifi’s Almond 3 router, now shipping and available for purchase.

Home: On is listed at Technology.FM, a curated collection of technology podcasts, including great shows like The Smart Kitchen Show, The HomeTech Podcast, and The NextMarket Podcast.

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If you’re interested in any of the products mentioned in this show, consider using our affiliate links, below, to view or purchase them on Amazon.com. Don’t worry…nobody’s getting rich off of this; but it does help us keep the lights on (so to speak) at The DMZ.

]]>http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/home-on-080/feed/0no We’re bringing you Richard’s interview with Juicero founder Doug Evans from the Smart Kitchen Summit. But first, Josh Pollard joins us to run through some updates from the news, including our review of Securifi’s Almond 3 router, now shipping and availab We’re bringing you Richard’s interview with Juicero founder Doug Evans from the Smart Kitchen Summit. But first, Josh Pollard joins us to run through some updates from the news, including our review of Securifi’s Almond 3 router, now shipping and available for purchase. The post Home: On #080 &#8211; Building Ecosystems, with Doug Evans appeared first on The Digital Media Zone. Events, Home Automation, Home: On, Podcasts, Almond 3, b8ta, connected locks, HomeKit, IFTTT, Jasco, Juicero, retail, routers, Securifi, smart kitchen, Smart Kitchen Summit, The Spoonhttp://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/28/home-on-080/http://traffic.libsyn.com/thedigitalmediazone/homeon-ep080.mp34k Netflix Comes Exclusively to Microsoft Edgehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDmz/~3/g7kPz6IWH1E/
http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2016/11/23/4k-netflix-comes-exclusively-to-microsoft-edge/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 11:33:08 +0000http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/?p=21589Microsoft has announced that their Edge browser is the only browser that can stream Netflix in 4k.

]]>This year has been a huge year for 4k video. Televisions across all price ranges now come in 4k resolution, and more and more sets are featuring even more features like high dynamic range video. Of course, none of those television features mean anything without content to watch. This year saw the official release of 4k UltraHD Blu-ray discs, but it’s far more likely that most people are getting their 4k content from streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.

Microsoft made a joint announcement with Netflix to state that Microsoft Edge is the only browser capable of displaying Netflix videos in 4k. Edge, the browser that first launched with Windows 10, is the default browser in the operating system. Microsoft Edge got off to a rocky start when it was initially unveiled. Back then it was a very bare-bones browser, and it’s had to deal with the mental baggage from users linking it to the browser it replaced: Internet Explorer. However, Edge has many of the same web rendering features of its competitors, and it’s started to pick up other major features, like extensions, this year too. Microsoft is surely hoping that these features, along with better battery consumption, aided by 4k Netflix exclusivity will help to grow its market share.

Of course you’ll need more than just Microsoft Edge to enjoy 4k Netflix videos in your browser. You’re also going to need a monitor that supports the resolution, and one of the latest 7th generation Intel Core processors. You’ll also need to subscribe to the top-tier offering from the streaming video provider. In the United States that means paying $11.99/month for the 4 Screens + Ultra HD plan. While these are certainly some hefty requirements in November of 2016, many people are purchasing new computers this holiday season. Within a few months, 7th-gen Core processors will be far more common in the average computer. Let us know if you’re looking forward to streaming 4k content with Edge in the comments below.